Deadline looms for freighter operations to change airports in Mexico City

Carriers have begun moving freighter operations in Mexico City to Felipe Angeles International Airport from Benito Juarez International Airport , but not everyone is happy about it. Citing congestion at Benito Juarez (MEX), the Mexican government decreed earlier this year that freighter operations must move to Felipe Angeles (NLU) by July 7. 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. Air France seeks options The decree means Air France-KLM , which operates passenger and freighter flights to Mexico City, must operate at both airports. “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 (AFKLMP Cargo), 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.” AFKLMP Cargo is “a key player” at MEX, according to Marsoin. Air France and KLM offer daily passenger flights and two weekly freighter flights. “We are currently analyzing different options regarding the future of freighter operations in Mexico,” he said, adding that they are looking into various Mexico destinations . “We are listening to our customers’ needs and working to ensure continuity of our freighter operations in Mexico, which is a key market for us.” Lufthansa Cargo also operates passenger and freighter flights at MEX. Lufthansa spokesperson Katharina Wambach said the carrier is studying the situation before deciding what to do. “[NLU] is a new, modern airport; however, preparations are still ongoing,” Wambach said. “Potential effects deriving from the new setup of two international airports in Mexico City are still [being] evaluated. Presently we are sharing requirements within working groups, [such as] on the necessary building infrastructure, the equipment needed for importing and exporting cargo, handling procedures and certifications.” DHL transitions smoothly DHL became the first operator to begin service to NLU, followed by China Southern Airlines . DHL’s first flight to NLU arrived from Cincinnati on Feb. 28; China Southern’s first flight arrived from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on March 2, according to the carriers. DHL announced intentions to have three daily flights to NLU — two from its North American hub in Cincinnati and another from Guadalajara, Mexico. The carrier expects to transport 120 tonnes of cargo daily to NLU once all three flights are in operation. From Feb. 28 to June 20, DHL will run cargo operations at both airports, DHL spokesperson Pamela Duque told Air Cargo Next . After that, DHL will process all cargo flights at NLU. “At [NLU], we currently have capacity to process about 3,000 pieces per hour, and once we’ve finished completing the hub, it will have the capacity to process 9,000 pieces per hour given the automation used,” Duque said. DHL announced last month that it will double its investment in Mexico for the 2019-2024 period to $600 million — $55 million to be invested in its NLU operation — which will handle about 90% of the company’s volume for Mexico City. The remainder is carried on commercial carriers not flying to NLU. TIACA expects increased costs Considering that 62% of cargo into MEX arrives on freighters, the decree presents operational and network challenges, according to The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). “If a carrier operating passenger and cargo flights decides to split operations across two airports, then this will add cost and complexity to operations and may result in some transit cargo destined to the U.S. West Coast shifting to different airports in the region,” TIACA Director General Glyn Hughes told Air Cargo Next . “Consequently, carriers who operate passenger and freighter services have some difficult decisions based on operational efficiency and optimization. Mexico may see reduced volumes and potentially reduced capacity provided by overseas carriers. “We understand that some warehouse facilities are ready at the new airport, but staffing is an issue,” he added. “Cargo facility leases at MEX are not being renewed in anticipation of the volumes of business that will disappear.” As opposition to the decree “is really no longer an option,” Hughes has called on the Mexican government to work with carriers to support migration of services with minimum disruption.

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