On September 3, 2023, a young man managed to break into the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) by jumping a perimeter fence and accessing the landing gear of Volaris flight 876 bound for Tijuana. However, information about this incident was deleted by a company contracted by the airport during a security system change.
According to the OICDE-AD-03-2024 audit, which El Financiero had access to, it was revealed that the information about the intrusion on the runway was removed from the security system due to the change of security company. This data deletion has raised uncertainty regarding the subsequent process carried out by the authorities following this incident.
In statements made after the event, the then-general director of the airport, Carlos Velázquez Tiscareño, mentioned that the young man was released without charges for being a minor and attributed the incident to an internet 'viral challenge.'
The audit also highlighted other deficiencies in handling information and operational security at AICM. It was found that relevant reports, including recorded aerial incidents, were not being submitted to the Internal Control Body, despite requests made. Additionally, it was evident that response times to relevant events significantly exceeded the deadlines established by regulations, which called into question the effectiveness of processes at the airport.
Another concerning aspect was the presence of external personnel at AICM, belonging to a private security company, who had access to confidential and reserved information from the operational control center. This posed a risk to institutional security, according to the audit.
These deficiencies in the management of operational security at AICM present a significant challenge for its future, especially considering its role as a gateway for international events such as the FIFA World Cup to be held in the second half of 2026. The need to improve processes and ensure transparency in information becomes vital to maintain trust in Mexico City's main airport.
