This curiosity has been what has fueled part of the influx of the AIFA six months after its inauguration. The start of operations of new airlines, such as the Dominican one, Arajet, are beginning to give shape to a project that, during the first weeks of its inauguration, looked practically empty.
The arrival
Beyond initial curiosity, passengers currently choosing to fly from AIFA do so out of logistical convenience. Getting there from Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico, takes half an hour, a saving of 15 minutes compared to flying to Mexico City International Airport (AICM). However, flying from my usual location – south of the city – it would take between 20 and 25 minutes to get to the AICM, and between 45 minutes and an hour to fly from the Felipe Ángeles.
It is possible to arrive in Uber from Ecatepec for 250 pesos, a price that doubles the cost of going to the AICM from other more central locations in the city. The driver can enter the AIFA to drop off passengers, but not to pick them up. That can be an inhibitor for drivers, as they risk returning empty.
Traffic is not a problem, since the communication routes were practically decongested, or at least that was the case on a Thursday afternoon. However, a few weeks earlier, some people were stranded on the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense due to a demonstration. Something that, however, also often happens with the AICM on the Internal Circuit, where even the police put desperate travelers on their patrol cars so that they can catch their flight.
The dimensions of the place never cease to amaze; Surrounding the construction site takes about half an hour by car, and on foot you can’t see the horizon where it ended.
From its first access roads, the AIFA shines for what it is: a new airport, with wide roads that still retain the light grayish color characteristic of a recently built access. Above it the passenger is greeted with a view of the Mammoth Museumbut also to the military installations that are inside the estate, which, despite also incorporating two hotels –a Holiday Inns that will open in December, and another military one–, a military air base and even a military hospitalIt looks extremely extensive.
Since the arrival the AIFA makes something clear: the armed forces are in charge. In the inspection at the security filters, the National Guard will be the one who will take the bottle of water forgotten in the bag from the passengers. The corridors and the arrival and departure bays are also guarded by the military, and even when collecting the luggage, the seal of the “Santa Lucía” Engineering Group is seen in large letters, with the slogan in capital letters: “We will fulfill the mission”.
commercial spaces
Inside, the The Grand Lounge Elite VIP Lounge it was full. And for those without any membership, the alternative is a starbucks –which is also usually relatively full– or a Krispy Kremewith a lower influx.
The AIFA has 205 commercial spaces, of which until a few weeks ago, there were 92 leased and 36 in operation. Among the establishments before the security checkpoints there are some cafeterias and Kiko’s pastries -reminiscent of the AIFA’s proximity to Hidalgo-, while inside there are several duty-freesporting goods and souvenir shops, and a food space that has small fast food outlets, some in operation and others under construction, such as a branch of the restaurant little fire. In addition, inside there are eight ATMs from banks such as BBVA and Citibanamex.
At 2 p.m. that Thursday, the AIFA departure screen had a record of 13 flights, 12 on time and one delay. Despite this, the size of the airport made it look empty, which, at the same time, made waiting comfortable, since there are from regular seats to some lounge-style seats overlooking the runways, and even workspaces to connect computers and cell phones.
Boarding has a biometric data reading system -similar to that of European airports, where you do not have to show any documentation after the security filter to speed up boarding-, but these are not yet in operation.
Boarding seemed to flow normally, but you have to wait around 15 minutes in the structure’s air-conditioned telescopic walkway. The flight left only 10 minutes after the hour.