The Mexican government declared on Tuesday that the Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico City will no longer accept new flights; instead, those services will be directed to the recently opened Felipe ngeles International Airport (NLU).
The Mexican government and the airline sector met earlier this week to examine a number of recent events, including concerns raised by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots (IFALPA) about Mexico City's airspace and a near-miss between two Volaris planes in Mexico City.
They discussed securing a "ordained development" of the Mexican airline business during this conference. Increased commercial flights at the recently opened Felipe ngeles International Airport north of Mexico City were among the agreements. NLU currently operates six daily domestic flights and one international flight each week.
By the end of the year, the goal is to have 100 daily operations. Volaris, Viva Aerobus, and Aeromexico have agreed to transfer certain flights to NLU, though specifics on which routes will be affected have yet to be disclosed.
The Mexican government said a few weeks ago that it will issue a legislative document limiting the number of hourly operations at MEX. The number of hourly operations would drop from 60 to 48 to 50.
First and foremost, commercial airlines operating at MEX will be able to maintain their regular flights and itineraries during the summer season.
MEX, on the other hand, will no longer allow new flights, and the authorities will not permit an increase in the number of operations beyond the summer slots.
Furthermore, all domestic charter and cargo planes now operating at MEX will be moved to the Felipe ngeles International Airport immediately. When the infrastructure to support these services is ready, international freight flights will be shifted in three months, according to the government.
