"Congested Mexico City airport poses threat to area residents"

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Congested Mexico City airport poses threat to area residents
EFE News


Mexico City's international airport has reached a saturation point, with
more than 1,400 flights a day, creating serious problems and a huge risk
for residents of this capital, union officials said.

Raul Campilla, secretary-general of the National Air Traffic Controllers
Union (SINACTA), told reporters that air traffic has become too
congested and the terminal is too small, and urged authorities to take
action.

"Based on technical data regarding the movement of aircraft -
helicopters and government and commercial passenger and cargo flights -
the control tower handles some 60 flights an hour during the low season,
and can climb as high as 90 to 95 flights per hour during peak vacation
periods," Campilla said.

For this reason, the Mexican government is seeking ways to lighten the
load at the terminal, including transferring some airlines to airports
in Puebla, Cuernavaca, Toluca and Pachuca.

Campilla disagrees with the proposal, saying it would not be a good idea
to turn these sites into alternate airports because the move would
affect the airlines.

"Toluca is not suitable for international flights ... and Puebla cannot
accommodate cargo flights," the union official said.


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