Mexico extends deadline for freighter ops to switch airports

As carriers lag in moving freighter operations in Mexico City to Felipe Angeles International Airport from Benito Juarez International Airport , the Mexican government has postponed the deadline for the change by two months. Citing congestion at Benito Juarez (MEX), the Mexican government decreed in January that freighter operations must move to Felipe Angeles (NLU) by July 7. Though the government has not put out an official statement, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced last week that carriers will have an additional eight weeks to move operations. Only 3% of flights at MEX last year were for cargo, according to the Mexican government. MEX is roughly 27 miles from NLU, a trip that will take 60 to 90 minutes via roadway. Eight more weeks In a meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on June 7, Lopez Obrador announced the new deadline — an effort to support continued integration of North American supply chains. “Strong transportation links between Mexico and the United States are essential to our two countries and our economies,” the Department of Transportation stated in a June 8 release. “Both of our governments are committed to the successful development of [NLU] in ways that will bolster the U.S.-Mexico air transportation relationship. To that end, we discussed further steps our governments can take to promote the expansion of commercial operations at [NLU], including the flexibility and support that will help U.S. carriers to successfully launch operations there.” The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) worked with carriers to campaign for the postponement, especially as 62% of cargo into MEX arrives on freighters. “The value of the air cargo industry is when many voices contribute to effecting change that benefits the community as a whole,” TIACA Director General Glyn Hughes told Air Cargo Next . “We were just one of the several voices expressing the need for timeline considerations. It’s great to see the U.S. secretary of transport also took an interest on behalf of U.S. carriers, demonstrating that senior government officials recognize that efficient trade connectivity is crucial for economic prosperity.” Buttigieg and Lopez Obrador also discussed Mexico’s air safety rating, which, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration downgraded in May 2021 from Category 1 to Category 2 after finding the country did not meet safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The downgrade prohibits Mexican carriers from starting new routes or adding flights to the United States or introducing new aircraft on existing U.S. routes. Carriers get some breathing room Hughes said he sees three significant benefits from the delay. “Firstly, carriers can continue to develop transfer options between the two airports,” he said. “Secondly, it allows more time for workforce recruitment, training and preparation at the new airport facilities. And thirdly, it provides a further window in which Mexico CAA can continue to address the FAA concerns, which resulted in Mexico being downgraded to Category 2 status.” [caption id="attachment_57136742" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lufthansa Cargo B777 freighter with Mexico livery. (Caption/Lufthansa Cargo)[/caption] Despite the postponement, Lufthansa Cargo announced today that it would meet the July 7 deadline, offering six freighter connections with Boeing 777F aircraft to and from NLU. Lufthansa will continue passenger and bellyhold cargo service to MEX. Other carriers, including Air France-KLM , which also operates both passenger and freighter flights to Mexico City, are still weighing their options. “We have taken note of the postponement decision,” Gerard A. Roelfzema , Air France-KLM’s cargo press relations officer, told Air Cargo Next . “In consultation with our new ground-handling agent, we will discuss the situation and decide what this means for our move.” Air France-KLM has expressed misgivings about the move, as it undercuts operation enhancements made in the past few years at MEX. “We invested significantly over the past years to operate in MEX airport and successfully build our own general handling agent structure, Mexico Cargo Handling,” Guillaume Marsoin , cargo director for Mexico at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, previously told Air Cargo Next . “Operating in two different airports in the near future will generate additional cost and will impact our current activities synergy between passenger division, cargo activities and Mexico Cargo Handling.” Other carriers intend to meet the original deadline. DHL , for instance, told Air Cargo Next that, until the Mexican government releases an official notice of the postponement, the carrier will “remain respectful of the official deadline of July.”

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