A bustling hub of activity. That’s the Mexico City International Airport. Millions pass through its gates each year. Its two terminals are a testament to the sheer volume of travel that takes place here.
This isn’t just any airport. It’s the primary international airport serving Greater Mexico City. It holds the title of the busiest in Mexico and Latin America. In 2024 it handled 45359485 passengers. This makes it one of the busiest in the world.
Think about it. More than 120000 passengers a day use this airport. They connect to over 100 destinations across three continents. The airport’s significance extends beyond its passenger traffic. It’s a vital part of Mexico City’s economy. Directly supporting 35000 jobs and indirectly influencing another 15000.
The airport’s history is rich and fascinating. It began as Llanos de Balbuena. This area saw early aeronautical activities as far back as 1910. Alberto Braniff became the first person to fly an airplane in Mexico and Latin America there. President Francisco I Madero made history by being the first head of state to fly in an airplane. This happened in 1911.
In 1915 it opened as Balbuena Military Airport. A small civilian airport was built in 1928. Regular services began a year later. The official inauguration was on May 15 1931. The airport received international status in 1943. The first international route was to Los Angeles International Airport. Mexicana de Aviacion operated this route.
Through the years the airport expanded. A new runway an apron a control tower and administration offices were built between 1949 and 1951. A renovated passenger terminal opened in 1952. By 1956 the airport had four runways.
The name changed from Aeropuerto Central to Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de Mexico in 1963. In the 1970s two shorter runways were closed to make way for housing. This left the current configuration with two parallel runways.
The airport faced challenges including congestion and limited space due to its location in a densely populated area. The proximity of the two parallel runways further limited simultaneous operations. Terminal 1 has undergone numerous expansions over the years. This resulted in a total area of 542000 square meters.
Terminal 2 opened in 2007 significantly increasing the airport’s capacity. Aeromexico is the main airline using this terminal. In 2020 Pier L was added to Terminal 2 with seven more gates.
Even today the airport faces ongoing challenges including congestion. Efforts to manage capacity continue. The airport’s history is a microcosm of Mexico City’s own development. From humble beginnings to a bustling international hub. It truly is an incredible place.