Located in the eastern part of Mexico City, Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) has developed from modest beginnings into the busiest and most significant air transportation hub in Latin America. As Mexico’s primary airport and the third-busiest in Latin America, MEX plays a vital role in connecting Mexico with destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
MEX History
The history of aviation at the site of Mexico City International Airport dates back to 1910, when the area known as Llanos de Balbuena first witnessed aeronautical activities with Alberto Braniff becoming the first person to fly an airplane in Mexico and Latin America.
In 1915, the Balbuena Military Airport opened with five runways, followed by a small civilian airport in 1928. The first official landing took place on November 5, 1928, with regular services beginning in 1929. The airport was formally inaugurated on May 15, 1931.
A pivotal moment in the airport’s development came on July 8, 1943, when it gained international status and launched its first international route to Los Angeles, operated by Mexicana de Aviación. From 1949 to 1951, the airport underwent significant expansion, including the construction of a new runway, an apron, a control tower, and administrative offices.
In 1952, President Miguel Alemán inaugurated a renovated passenger terminal. By 1956, the airport operated with four runways. On December 2, 1963, the airport’s name was officially changed from “Aeropuerto Central” (Central Airport) to “Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México” (Mexico City International Airport).
In the 1970s, two short runways were closed to facilitate the construction of a social housing complex called Unidad Fiviport, resulting in the airport’s current configuration of two parallel runways. Terminal expansions followed in 1980 and 1990, significantly increasing capacity and separating domestic and international facilities.
To alleviate congestion, Mexicana initiated a decentralization effort by relocating numerous flights to airports in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mérida. In 1994, all general aviation operations were moved to Toluca International Airport.
The airport continued to evolve with the 2001 construction of a satellite building east of the terminal. In 2007, Terminal 2 opened to increase capacity and modernize facilities, marking the most recent major expansion of the airport.
MEX Quick Facts & Statistics
- IATA Code: MEX
- ICAO Code: MMMX
- Location: Venustiano Carranza, 5 km east of Downtown Mexico City
- Elevation: 2,230 meters above sea level
- Size: Approximately 746 hectares (1,843 acres)
- Ownership: Mexican Navy, operated by Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México
- Runways: Two parallel runways – 05L/23R and 05R/23L
- Runway Length: Main runways approximately 3,900 meters (12,795 feet) each
- Passenger Volume: Over 48.4 million passengers (2023)
- Destinations: 114 destinations (50 domestic and 64 international)
- Airlines: More than 25 airlines operate from MEX
- Status: Busiest airport in Mexico; third-busiest in Latin America; 49th-busiest worldwide
- Daily Operations: Averages 1,056 aircraft movements and 124,000 passengers
- Annual Cargo: Handles approximately 470,000 metric tons of cargo annually
Terminals and Facilities
Mexico City International Airport operates with two main terminals that offer a comprehensive range of services and amenities.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the original and larger terminal, opening in its initial form in the 1950s and undergoing major expansions in 1980 and 1990. It now serves most international and some domestic flights. Key features include:
- A total of 36 gates with gates 1-18 serving domestic and 19-36 serving international flights
- Remote gates where passengers are transported by bus to their aircraft
- Parking facilities accommodating 5,500 vehicles
- Multiple VIP lounges, including those operated by American Airlines (Admirals Club), MasterCard (Elite Lounge), American Express (Salón Centurión), Iberia, United Airlines, and Air France-KLM
- Three hotels within the terminal: Camino Real (600 rooms), Hilton (110 rooms), and Courtyard Mexico City Airport (288 rooms)
- Extensive duty-free shopping areas and dining options
- 24/7 luggage storage and banking services
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
- Two long-distance bus terminals for regional connections
Terminal 2
Inaugurated in 2007, Terminal 2 was constructed to alleviate the congestion at Terminal 1 and primarily serves Aeroméxico and its SkyTeam partners. This modern terminal features:
- State-of-the-art check-in and security facilities
- Parking structure accommodating 3,000 vehicles
- Two hotels: NH Hotel (287 rooms) and izZzleep Hotel with compact sleep pods
- Contemporary architecture with spacious design and natural lighting
- VIP lounges including the Aeroméxico Salón Premier
- Art exhibits and cultural displays showcasing Mexican heritage
- Modern food court and retail shopping options
Terminal Connections
The distance between the two terminals is 3 kilometers (1.9 miles). Passengers can transfer between terminals via:
- The “Aerotrén” people mover system, which operates at 45 km/h (28 mph) and has a daily capacity of 7,800 passengers (available only to passengers with boarding passes and airline crew)
- A free inter-terminal shuttle bus service that runs between Terminal 1 (entrance 6) and Terminal 2 (entrance 4)
- Taxi services between terminals
The journey between terminals takes approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the transport method chosen.
Airlines and Destinations
Major Airlines
MEX serves as a hub or focus city for several carriers:
- Aeroméxico: Mexico’s flag carrier uses MEX as its main hub with service to 80 destinations (46 domestic and 34 international)
- Volaris: Major low-cost carrier with extensive domestic and international operations
- Viva Aerobus: Low-cost carrier with significant presence
Terminal Distribution
Airlines are distributed between the two terminals:
- Terminal 1: Hosts most international carriers and some domestic operations
- Terminal 2: Primary home to Aeroméxico and its SkyTeam partners including Delta Air Lines, as well as Copa Airlines and LATAM
Destinations
MEX provides connections to approximately 114 destinations across multiple continents, with top domestic routes including Cancún, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana, and Mérida. The busiest international routes are to Los Angeles, New York, Madrid, Bogotá, and Paris.
Ground Transportation
Mexico City International Airport offers multiple transportation options to connect passengers to the city center and beyond.
Taxi
- Official airport taxis operate 24/7 outside both terminals
- Tickets must be purchased at the “Transporte Terrestre” kiosk inside the terminal
- Journey time to the city center is approximately 20 minutes (traffic dependent)
- Costs around $13-15 USD each way
Metro
- Metro Line 5 connects to Terminal Aérea Station near Terminal 1
- Very cost-effective at less than 50 cents per journey
- Journey time to the city center is about 50 minutes
- Features dedicated carriages for female travelers
Metrobus
- Metrobus Line 4 serves both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
- Operates from 4:30 am until midnight every 15 minutes
- Journey time to the city center is approximately 30 minutes
- Smartcards available for around $1.50 USD
Other Options
- Car rental from major agencies including Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Alamo with rates starting at $22 per day
- Rideshare services like Uber and Didi with designated pickup areas
- Long-distance buses to regional destinations like Puebla, Toluca, and Cuernavaca
Future Development Plans
Mexico City has developed a multi-airport strategy to address congestion issues at MEX, which operates at full capacity with limited expansion possibilities due to its urban location.
Metropolitan Airport System
The cornerstone of Mexico City’s aviation future is a three-airport system consisting of:
- Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX): Continuing as the primary international gateway
- Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA/NLU): Opened in March 2022 as a secondary airport
- Toluca International Airport: Providing additional capacity for specific operations
Felipe Ángeles International Airport
AIFA represents the most significant expansion of Mexico City’s aviation capacity:
- Located 35 kilometers north of Mexico City in Zumpango
- Built on the former Santa Lucía Air Force Base
- Features two civilian runways and one military runway
- Currently serves approximately 1.2 million passengers annually
- Projected capacity of up to 80 million passengers when fully developed
- Being positioned as Mexico’s future air cargo hub
Infrastructure development to support AIFA includes new highways connecting to Mexico City, extension of the suburban railway line, and additional public transportation options.
Operational Redistribution
The Mexican government has implemented policies to gradually shift operations from MEX to AIFA:
- All cargo and charter domestic flights now operate from AIFA
- New flight authorizations are being directed to AIFA rather than MEX
- Airlines including Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris have committed to increasing operations at AIFA
By the end of 2025, AIFA is expected to handle over 100 daily operations, a substantial increase from its initial capacity.
MEX Modernization
While expansion at MEX is limited by urban constraints, plans for modernization include terminal renovations, technology upgrades, advanced security systems, and improved inter-terminal connectivity.
The MEX Experience
Despite capacity challenges, Mexico City International Airport continues to provide visitors with an authentic introduction to Mexican culture and hospitality. Terminal 2 features rotating art exhibits and cultural displays, while dining options include local favorites like Vuela Carmela in Terminal 2, Casa Avila and Maison Kayser in Terminal 1.
Shopping opportunities abound with over 160 retail outlets across both terminals, offering everything from luxury goods to authentic Mexican crafts and souvenirs. The on-site hotels provide convenient accommodation for travelers with early departures, late arrivals, or lengthy connections.
While MEX can be crowded during peak periods, particularly in Terminal 1, recent technology improvements have helped streamline processing. As Mexico continues to grow as a global destination for business and tourism, Mexico City International Airport remains at the heart of the country’s transportation network, serving as a vital gateway to one of the world’s most vibrant and historic capital cities.
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