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Mexico City International Airport

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A bird's-eye view of Mexico City Airport early in the morning.

Mexico City International Airport

Mexico City International Airport, also called Benito Juárez International Airport, is the main airport for Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. It is a very busy place, with millions of passengers each year. In 2025, it was the busiest airport in Mexico and one of the busiest in the world!

The airport is a major hub for airlines like Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva. It has two passenger terminals where people check in, shop, and eat before their flights. The airport also has special areas for the country’s Air Force and helps control air traffic for many parts of Mexico.

A Long History

People have used the same spot for flying since 1910. That year, a pilot named Alberto Braniff made the first powered flight there. In 1915, it became a military airport, and later, in 1928, a small civilian airport opened. By 1931, it was an official airport, and in 1943, it became an international airport with its first flight to Los Angeles.

Over the years, the airport grew with new runways, a control tower, and offices. In 1952, a new passenger terminal opened, and by 1956, it had four runways for night flights. The airport has changed and expanded many times to welcome more travelers.

Busy and Important

Mexico City International Airport is very important because it helps people travel to and from Mexico City. It serves travelers from over 100 destinations across Mexico, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2025, it had over 44 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in Mexico and one of the busiest in North America.

The airport helps many airlines fly to cities around the world. Some of the most popular international routes are to Madrid, Spain, Los Angeles, United States, and Bogotá, Colombia. It also has special buses and taxis to help people get to and from the airport. The nearby San Lázaro Metro Station and long-distance bus stations make it easy to travel all over Mexico City and beyond.

Fun Facts

  • The airport covers a big area of 747 hectares, about the size of a small town!
  • It has two runways, but they are close together, which makes it tricky for many planes to land at the same time.
  • The airport is high up, which affects how planes take off and land.
  • It provides jobs for thousands of people, both directly at the airport and in nearby businesses.

Mexico City International Airport is a busy and important place that helps millions of people travel each year. Whether you’re flying for fun or business, it’s a key part of traveling in and out of Mexico City.

Images

A view of Terminal D at Mexico City International Airport in December 2019.
A De Havilland Comet 4 airplane from Mexicana de Aviación approaching Mexico City International Airport in 1966.
An aerial view of Mexico City International Airport, showing its runways and surrounding area.
A vehicle at Mexico City International Airport, showing part of the airport's transportation area.
A large Boeing 747 airplane belonging to KLM Airlines, parked at Mexico City International Airport.
People waiting to board their flights in the departures area of Mexico City International Airport.
A view inside Terminal 2 of Mexico City International Airport, showcasing the modern architecture and busy atmosphere of one of Mexico's major transportation hubs.
A view inside Terminal 2 of Mexico City International Airport.
A colorful map showing Mexico City's metro and public transportation network, helping travelers navigate the city.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Mexico City International Airport, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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