Chocks away for ASA airport expansion plans

Mexico's state-owned airport operator Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) plans to carry out five airport expansion and modernization projects in 2022-2024, in addition to working on three new jet fuel storage projects at existing fuel stations around the country. 

The developments include the 1.2bn-peso (US$57mn) modernization of Tamuín domestic airport in San Luis Potosí state, which the operator plans to begin this year and complete in 2023, and the modernization of Chetumal international airport in Quintana Roo state, which is expected to be wrapped up early next year.

BNamericas spoke to Gabriela de los Ángeles Pérez Casas, deputy director of communications at ASA, about these projects and the firm's other plans.

BNamericas: What are the projects that stand out in ASA's portfolio?

Pérez Casas: The modernization of Chetumal airport, which requires three fundamental works: a) the expansion of the passenger building, b) complementary works and c) the construction of a new control tower.

The expansion of the passenger building has increased its capacity by 100% compared with the old building. It now serves approximately 370 passengers at peak departure and arrival times, with a final area of 3,685m2. The works for the new control tower are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022. The project allows more than 50,000 more passengers to travel to Chetumal each year, which will generate important social and economic benefits for the region and contributing to the reactivation of the national air travel sector.

With these works, the new terminal building of the Chetumal international airport has reached optimal IATA standards.

BNamericas: We’ve noticed that ASA has launched several tenders to expand its current infrastructure. These include the executive project for the expansion of two terminals, one in Nayarit and the other in Campeche state, as well as the expansion of Puerto Escondido airport in Oaxaca state. Can you tell us more about these projects?

Pérez Casas: For 2022-2024, significant investments are planned for the airports of Ciudad del Carmen [Campeche state], Puebla [Puebla], Puerto Escondido [Oaxaca], Tepic [Nayarit] and Tamuín [San Luís Potosí]. The Ciudad del Carmen, Puebla and Tepic projects focus on the modernization and expansion of the runways and operational areas, intending to improve the capacities of the airports in accordance with the fleet of aircraft currently operating in the country. They also include the modernization and expansion of the terminal buildings to provide better services to passengers.

As regards the Puerto Escondido project, the construction of a new modern and efficient terminal building is planned, since this airport has now become the second most important in the ASA network in terms of passengers, handling 378,000 people in January-September, 27% higher than reported in the same period of 2019. 

Finally, totally new infrastructure will be developed for Tamuín airport to boost the Huasteca Potosina region [in central Mexico]. The airport will have a new runway, operational areas and a new terminal building including the latest design criteria for airport facilities of this type. It is expected that this project will significantly boost access to the area, with a positive impact on the population of that region.

BNamericas: Are there also plans for investments in fuel stations?

Pérez Casas: With regard to fuels, [ASA] is considering development of new infrastructure for storing jet fuel at the airports of Bajío [Guanajuato state], Cancún [Quintana Roo] and San José del Cabo [Baja California Sur state] to align capacities with the demand for fuels at those airports. In the case of Bajío, the construction of a new 500,000-liter tank is contemplated, which will expand the storage capacity by 55%. As regards the San José del Cabo project, the construction of a new fuel station is considered, which will double the capacity of the current one and also allow future growth. Finally, in the case of Cancún, a 50% expansion of storage capacity will be carried out, as well as the modernization of the industrial operational, control and safety systems.

BNamericas: The Mexican government is moving forward with the modernization of Tamuín domestic airport this year, according to official announcements. Could you tell us more about what this plan entails?

Pérez Casas: Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxilares will this year begin expansion works on the Huasteca Potosina national airport – located in Tamuín – as part of the works and actions considered in the master plan for the comprehensive tourism development of the Huasteca Potosina region, which has been implemented by the federal government through the ministry of tourism and the state government.

The project for the new airport in Tamuín is considered one of the most important works in regional airport infrastructure in this six-year [government] term, since it has special significance due to the potential of Huasteca Potosina as a region with an eminently touristic vocation, having archaeological areas and natural wonders that allow the promotion of adventure tourism.

Although stage one of the project will end this year, it will continue until 2023. Around 11.2bn pesos [US$528mn] will be invested in the project by the federal government, an investment that will allow the development of the area currently occupied by Tamuín airport [125ha] plus the 87ha acquired and donated to ASA by the state government of San Luis Potosí to have a project developed on an area of 212ha.

This work is intended to attract a larger number of airlines, routes and frequencies that will give the region a higher profile, while increasing the airport capacity and operations of the ASA network.

BNamericas: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration is also working on the construction of the 200bn-peso Maya Train project in the southeast of the country, where ASA operates several air terminals. How are you preparing for this megaproject and the tourism spillover that it’s expected to create?

Pérez Casas: That project is currently being developed by other parts of the federal government. However, as has happened in other initiatives, ASA is contributing to the technical aspects for aeronautics, using its experience of more than 56 years in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of airport facilities.

BNamericas: What are ASA's priorities for this and the next three years?

Pérez Casas: Our priority is to continue providing the necessary elements so that, in the 19 airports that ASA operates and manages, we can continue providing services of the highest quality and safety.

ASA also continues to offer specialized technical services regarding airports to professionals in the national and international air travel sector, for all phases of an airport, from the design and conception to maintenance and certification.

Fuel services deserve special and priority attention, since aviation fuels are supplied daily to fixed and rotary-wing aircraft throughout national territory in 60 storage stations in the country's airports and two supply points, always with maximum safety and quality and following the highest industry standards in supply operations with the most modern and advanced technology.

Regarding human development and specialized aeronautical training, ASA has an international training center, called Ingeniero Roberto Kobeh González (CIIASA), recognized as a regional center of excellence in Trainair Plus training and in civil aviation safety by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This certification allows it to position itself as one of the best training centers worldwide, as it complies with national and international standards of quality and content, thanks to its facilities and the wide range of services it offers for the preparation of personnel in airport and aeronautical matters.