Bet you didn’t know that the first flight in Mexico and Latin America took off from the very grounds where Mexico City International Airport now stands. This bustling hub, officially Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez, is more than just a place to catch a flight. It’s a landmark steeped in aviation history.
Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico and Latin America. In 2022, it ranked as the 17th-busiest globally. Imagine that a staggering number of passengers moving through these terminals every single day.
The airport’s story began long before modern jets. Back in 1910, Alberto Braniff soared into the sky in a Voisin biplane. This marked a pivotal moment for aviation in the region. Then in 1911, President Francisco I. Madero became the first head of state to fly in an airplane. Geo M. Dyott piloted that flight.
In 1915, the site transformed into Balbuena Military Airport. A small civilian airport began construction in 1928. Regular services started in 1929. The official inauguration of Mexico City International Airport took place on May 15, 1931. Its international status arrived on July 8, 1943. The first international route connected here to Los Angeles. Mexicana de Aviación operated it.
The airport has faced numerous challenges. Limited space and increasing congestion became major issues. Expansion projects were undertaken to address these problems. A new international section opened in 1994. A satellite building with eight gates was added in 2001.
President Vicente Fox introduced an ambitious plan for a new airport in 2002. It was to be located in Atenco and Texcoco. However, protests and violent clashes led to the project’s cancellation. Instead, the existing terminal was expanded to increase capacity.
Terminal 2 opened in 2007. It significantly boosted the airport’s ability to handle more passengers. Most SkyTeam members moved their operations to the new terminal.
The runways at Mexico City International Airport present unique challenges. At an elevation of 7,316 feet above sea level, aircraft performance is affected by the thinner air. The two parallel runways are less than 980 feet apart. This hinders simultaneous operations.
Today, Mexico City International Airport continues to evolve. It handles flights to over 100 destinations. These destinations span Mexico, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. As you traverse its terminals, remember you’re walking through a place where aviation history was made. It’s a place that overcame considerable obstacles to become the giant it is today.