Preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City

As Mexico prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the government and airline representatives are working on improving airport operations and visitor experiences. They aim to increase flight slots at the city's airports while managing restrictions for optimal traffic flow.


Preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City

Next year, the World Cup will take place in Mexico, which requires excellent connectivity in Mexico City, as highlighted by a representative. Gabriela Cuevas, from the event organization, mentioned that multiple options are being evaluated to improve the experience of travelers at the airports, including the extension of takeoff and landing times.

The government has divided the allocation of slots into two seasons: winter and summer, so measures must be taken to increase air operations by the end of this year. Airlines are preparing to welcome passengers at the World Cup venues in Mexico.

The president of the National Chamber of Air Transport spoke about the commercial preparation of airlines in light of the demand for next year and mentioned the elimination of growth restrictions at Toluca Airport by the end of 2024. It is expected that restrictions will be modified to at least return to 52 operations per hour.

The airports of Guadalajara and Monterrey are in the process of expansion and rehabilitation, while the government is working on tourist attractions to encourage travelers to disperse throughout the country. Additionally, there is a focus on planning strategic air routes amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

On another note, ASUR anticipates that time restrictions at Mexico City International Airport will be lifted during the first half of the year. Domestic traffic has decreased due to capacity limitations at AICM, so a positive change is expected. The current priority is to consolidate the airport's infrastructure to be ready for the 2026 World Cup.