Background and Relevance
The International Airport of Puebla, located in the city of Huejotzingo, has been grappling with underutilization, operating only 22 daily flights when its capacity should be up to 18 flights per hour. Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor for Puebla, aims to change this situation during the current six-year term.
Recent Investments and Future Plans
Over the past three years, from 2022 to 2024, the airport has received significant investments from the federal government totaling 371.7 million pesos. In 2022, the first federal investment was 112.8 million pesos for modernization; in 2023, it was 166.5 million pesos, and for 2024, the investment stands at 92.4 million pesos.
Chedraui’s Vision for the Airport
Chedraui outlined a plan to give the Puebla airport “notable mobility,” positioning it as an alternative to Mexico City’s airport for both national and international flights. This would benefit residents from the south-southeast region who currently need to travel to Mexico City for connections, facing potential delays due to ongoing road construction projects.
Targeted Rutas and Collaborations
Chedraui mentioned the airport’s initial focus on establishing routes such as Puebla-Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca), Chiapas, and Tulum (Quintana Roo). Additionally, they aim to strengthen existing connections to Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Houston.
The secretary highlighted ongoing discussions with airlines like Viva Aerobús, Volaris, and Mexicana de Aviación to open new routes. Although the process is still in its early stages, market studies suggest these routes would be appealing to Puebla residents.
Integration into Metropolitan Aeroport Network
Chedraui emphasized the importance of integrating Puebla’s airport into a metropolitan aeroport network, which would lead to increased daily operations.
Timeline and Opportunities
Chedraui acknowledged that the initial outcomes of these new flights might not be visible until 2026, starting with expanding the national flight offerings. He expressed optimism about the significant growth potential for the Puebla airport during this six-year term.
Government Support
The Secretary of Defense (Sedena), which holds the concession for Puebla’s airport, has shown commitment to supporting these plans. The airport concession was originally granted by the ASA organization.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation of the Puebla International Airport? The airport currently operates with only 22 daily flights, far below its capacity of 18 flights per hour.
- Who is Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, and why is he relevant? Chedraui is the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor for Puebla, who aims to transform the airport’s underutilization during his term.
- What investments has the airport received recently? The Puebla International Airport has received 371.7 million pesos in investments from the federal government between 2022 and 2024.
- What are the airport’s future plans? The airport aims to establish new routes, strengthen existing connections, and integrate into a metropolitan aeroport network to increase daily operations.
- What support has the airport received from the government? The Secretary of Defense (Sedena) has shown commitment to supporting the airport’s transformation, with the concession originally granted by ASA.
