More flight cuts planned at Mexico City hub, internal document shows

Mexico's government plans to cap flights at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to 43 an hour, according to an internal government document order seen by Reuters on Wednesday. The resolution, sent by the Transportation Ministry to the airport, is expected to be published in Mexico's official gazette soon, a source familiar with the matter said. An internal airport planning committee is expected to meet with airline representatives on Thursday to discuss the changes, the source added. The cuts follow previous flight caps at the airport last year, as the government attempts to reduce saturation in the Mexican capital's airspace. Earlier on Wednesday, the IATA urged Mexico to take alternative measures to its plans to announce flight reductions at AICM. The IATA said that it could not accept "any unilateral and uncoordinated decisions" that would hamper connectivity. "Given the impact that this measure could have on passengers, air connectivity and tourism, we hope that the authorities will consider alternatives," IATA said. According to the document, the measure is set to take effect once the winter season begins, which IATA defines as the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March. While flights have been reduced in the past, the Mexican government has not yet announced a fresh round of cuts at the busiest airport in Latin America. Officials have previously capped flights at the airport in an attempt to reduce saturation of the capital's airspace. AICM director Carlos Velazquez told Reuters earlier this month that flight cuts were being considered, among other measures.<br/>