TULUM, Mexico – President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), is gearing up to potentially realize his flagship tourism projects of his six-year term. Following the recent inauguration of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City, the spotlight is now on the upcoming launch of the Tulum Airport and the inaugural flight of Mexicana de Aviación.
These three initiatives, in addition to the ambitious Tren Maya project, have been the cornerstone of AMLO’s tourism agenda, despite facing strong criticism from industry stakeholders. The closure of overseas tourism promotion offices previously overseen by the CPTM and the cancellation of the New Mexico City International Airport (NAICM) have been contentious decisions, as initially reported by The Tulum Times.
Leading international organizations like the IATA and national associations such as Canaero, with the support of major Mexican airlines like Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobús, have vehemently opposed this aviation policy. Furthermore, this shift has coincided with a significant reduction in flights at Mexico City’s main airport, AICM.
However, as the end of his presidential term approaches, and with the likely electoral showdown between Xóchitl Gálvez and Claudia Sheinbaum, it is anticipated that AMLO may fulfill one of his dreams by connecting three of his significant tourism projects with a flight operated by Mexicana between AIFA and Tulum (AMLO’s Airline Unveils Its First 20 Routes).
AMLO has entrusted the military personnel of Sedena with overseeing these projects. Simultaneously, there are considerations about constructing hotels around the Tren Maya, which has faced intense controversy due to staunch opposition from environmental groups like Greenpeace and indigenous communities whose jungles and ecosystems have been affected by the railway.
National and international experts have been in agreement about the need for Mexico to have a mega airport to compete with other hubs like Panama, Bogotá, or Atlanta. Conversely, there has been criticism regarding the necessity of a new state-owned airline when three well-established domestic carriers already exist.
As the clock ticks toward the end of AMLO’s tenure, the prospect of uniting these ambitious tourism endeavors with a Mexicana flight is on the horizon. With all eyes on the unfolding developments, it remains to be seen whether these projects will deliver the envisioned boost to Mexico’s tourism sector.
