The Flooding Crisis at AICM
One of the most critical problems facing Mexico City’s International Airport (AICM) is its failing drainage system, which results in significant water accumulation around the terminal area, especially within its perimeter. This annual flooding issue prompts infrastructure managers to exclaim, “It rained like never before,” and consequently, we flood as always.
Impact on Airport Operations
The flooded runways, taxiways, and platforms force airlines to reroute flights to other airports, making it nearly impossible to operate during certain hours. This leads to chaos, delays, cancellations, and frustration for both passengers and airlines.
Economic Consequences
Luis Robledo, a renowned hydraulic engineer and expert on the Valley of Mexico’s hydrological environment, estimates that these flooding incidents cost airline operators approximately 1,000 million pesos per season. This substantial financial burden is particularly significant considering that the airline industry isn’t among the most profitable businesses, and these amounts can mean the difference between profitability and deficit.
Root Causes and Proposed Solution
Engineering hydraulic studies of AICM reveal that the drainage system was built decades ago, and since then, the airport’s soil has been sinking at a rate of 30 centimeters per year. This subsidence is also the reason for annual repaving of runways and the 12-meter difference between the original and current pavement layers.
The sinking has caused the originally downward-sloping drainage to collapse, reversing its flow and directing wastewater back into the terminal’s perimeter.
Proposed Solution: A Deep Drainage Tunnel
The solution lies in constructing a tunnel several meters below ground level, allowing the release of water burdens and directing them away from the terminal. This would integrate the excess water into the general drainage system.
Although this solution has been known for 25 years, its estimated cost of 4,000 million pesos has deterred any government from funding it. Despite the high initial investment, the solution would pay for itself in under 5 years by preventing flood-related expenses.
Call for Political Will
The availability of a viable solution underscores the need for political will, or what experts call “the recognition that government may not know everything nor manage all budgets.” Often, funds intended for such projects divert to other priorities.
It is hoped that the Mexican Navy, which oversees AICM’s infrastructure, will consider these proposed solutions and invest in a beneficial path for all AICM users.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main problem at AICM? The primary issue is the failing drainage system, causing annual flooding around the terminal area.
- How does flooding affect airport operations? Flooded runways, taxiways, and platforms force flight rerouting, delays, cancellations, and passenger frustration.
- What are the economic consequences of flooding? Flooding costs airline operators approximately 1,000 million pesos per season, impacting already non-lucrative airline businesses.
- What caused the drainage system’s failure? Decades-old drainage construction, combined with soil subsidence (30 cm/year), led to the system’s collapse.
- What is the proposed solution? Construct a deep drainage tunnel to redirect excess water away from the terminal and integrate it into the general drainage system.
- Why hasn’t the solution been implemented? The estimated 4,000 million pesos cost has deterred governments from funding the project.
- How long would it take to recoup the investment? The solution would pay for itself in under 5 years by preventing flood-related expenses.
