Pros and Cons of Mexico City International Airport (AICM)

The AICM is Mexico's main airport and one of the busiest in Latin America. While it is a major hub with great connectivity, it also presents recurring problems that passengers have pointed out in their experiences. Here is a summary of its advantages and disadvantages.

✅ PROS: The Positive Aspects of AICM

1️⃣ Central and Accessible Location

📍 Advantage: It is located within Mexico City, only 5-10 km from the center, which facilitates transfers.
🚖 Transportation options:

• Uber, Didi, Beat → Safe and relatively economical alternatives.
• Metro and Metrobús → Economical options for travelers with little luggage.
• Authorized Taxis → More expensive, but safe option.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
✔️ “It's easy to get there by metro if you travel light.”
✔️ “Good connectivity with the city.”

2️⃣ National and International Connectivity

🌎 Advantage: It is the airport with the most direct flights in Mexico, connecting with all states and several destinations in the USA, Europe, South America, and Asia.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
✔️ “Very convenient for international connections.”
✔️ “Many airline options.”

3️⃣ Services and Amenities

🛍️ Shops, restaurants, and lounges:

• Varied food options in both terminals (Vuela Carmela, Maison Kayser, Starbucks, 100% Natural).
• VIP Lounges with rest areas and premium service (Grand Lounge Elite, Salón VIP Aeroméxico).

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
✔️ “The Grand Lounge Elite is a good option if you have a long layover.”
✔️ “The restaurants have decent options.”

4️⃣ More Modern and Organized Terminal 2

🏢 Advantage: Terminal 2 is newer, more spacious, and modern than Terminal 1.

• More organized and with better distribution.
• Less congested than Terminal 1.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
✔️ “T2 is more comfortable and modern.”
✔️ “Less chaos than in T1.”

❌ CONS: The Negative Aspects of AICM

1️⃣ Congestion and Lack of Space

🚦 Problem:

• Insufficient infrastructure → It was not designed to handle the current number of passengers.
• Frequent delays due to air saturation.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
❌ “It's always crowded and chaotic.”
❌ “It takes a long time to assign boarding gates.”

📢 Possible solution: There are plans to transfer some flights to AIFA (Aeropuerto Felipe Angeles) located 40km from the city, but for now, AICM continues to operate at its capacity limit.

2️⃣ Security and Negative Experiences in Immigration

👮‍♂️ Problem:

• Long lines at immigration and customs → Slow processes, especially for international passengers.
• Reported cases of theft or bad practices in security checks.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
❌ “I lost 1 hour in the immigration line.”
❌ “During the security check, they opened my suitcase and things were missing.”

📢 Recommendation: Keep an eye on your luggage at security checks and arrive with enough time if you are traveling internationally.

3️⃣ Overpriced Duty-Free and Shops

🛒 Problem:

• Dufry Duty-Free → Negative experiences:
  • Errors in alcohol packaging → Confiscated in international connections.
  • High prices, sometimes more expensive than outside the airport.
  • Poor customer service and problems with invoicing.
• Britt Shop → Reports of arbitrary charges and abusive prices.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
❌ “We paid $100 USD for souvenirs that were worth half that.”
❌ “I bought tequila and in the USA it was taken away because Dufry didn't seal it well.”

📢 Recommendation: Avoid impulsive purchases in duty-free and compare prices before paying.

4️⃣ Poor Baggage Handling and Reported Thefts

🎒 Problem:

• Reported cases of suitcases being opened and items missing.
• Lost baggage with delays in recovery.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
❌ “They stole items from my suitcase.”
❌ “My luggage arrived open and things were missing.”

📢 Recommendation: Avoid carrying valuables in checked luggage.

5️⃣ Lack of Maintenance and Poor Services in Terminal 1

🏚️ Problem:

• Bathrooms in poor condition.
• Poor signage and outdated screens.
• Damaged elevators and escalators.

💬 Repeated phrases from passengers:
❌ “The bathrooms are dirty and neglected.”
❌ “The screens do not display the flights correctly.”

📢 Recommendation: Verify your boarding gate directly with your airline, as the monitors may not be up to date.

📊 General Summary

📢 Final Thoughts

The AICM is convenient due to its location and connectivity, but suffers from saturation, lack of maintenance, and poor service in some stores and areas.

✔️ If you use it with caution and plan your time well, you will avoid many inconveniences.
✔️ If you can, use Terminal 2 instead of Terminal 1, as it is more modern and comfortable.
✔️ Avoid purchases in Dufry and check your luggage well when passing through security filters.