AIFA Will Double in Size, Become Mexico’s Main Airport

ByUlises Rodríguez López

This article by Ulises Rodríguez López originally appeared in the October 22, 2025 edition of Polemón.

Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) plans to expand its terminal to double its capacity from 20 million passengers per year to 40 million by 2032.

Isidoro Pastor Román , director of AIFA, revealed that the expansion planned for 2032 includes the construction of the mirror terminal and is part of a longer-term vision. Santa Lucía Airport is expected to handle up to 100 million passengers by 2050.

This is intended to meet the country’s civil aviation demand for the next 50 years, with the terminal expected to be fully completed by 2050. The project comprises several phases, including the expansion of the passenger terminal, taxiways, apron, and the expansion of the cargo area to handle 700,000 tons per year.

In addition, AIFA, a flagship project of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, will serve as an operations center to coordinate support in the event of natural disasters , given its privileged location. It will also offer complementary services to commercial operations, both passenger and cargo transportation.

But the project wouldn’t be complete without its most anticipated connection: the Suburban Train. This means of transportation will take travelers from Mexico City to AIFA in less than 45 minutes, and will also serve as a connection to the city of Pachuca, in Hidalgo. This passenger train will be the main means of transportation from the Mexican capital to Santa Lucía and is expected to begin operations in December of this year.