Sheinbaum Tests New Felipe Ángeles Airport Train as US Route Dispute Continues
President Claudia Sheinbaum rode the newly inaugurated suburban train connecting Buenavista station in Mexico City to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in the State of Mexico, calling the journey a “mission accomplished” for her administration’s infrastructure goals. The test ride took place on April 26, 2026, according to official social media posts from the Presidency of Mexico, where Sheinbaum shared images of herself aboard the train alongside transportation officials. The president emphasized that the rail link fulfills a key promise to improve access to AIFA, which has struggled to attract passengers and airlines since its opening in 2022.
The train service, officially launched on March 1, 2026, runs approximately 55 kilometers between Buenavista and AIFA, with intermediate stops at Lechería, Cuautitlán, and Tultitlán. Travel time is estimated at 45 minutes, and the one-way fare is set at 45 Mexican pesos (about $2.50 USD), as confirmed by the Mexico City Ministry of Mobility. Authorities project the line will initially serve around 15,000 passengers daily, with capacity to scale up to 50,000 as ridership grows. The project is part of a broader effort to decongest Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and promote AIFA as a viable alternative for domestic and international travel.
However, the inauguration comes amid ongoing tensions between Mexico and the United States over air travel rights. In October 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation suspended 13 existing and planned passenger and cargo routes between the U.S. And AIFA, citing Mexico’s failure to comply with the 2015 Bilateral Air Transport Agreement. The U.S. Government stated that Mexico had not fulfilled commitments to reduce congestion at AICM through infrastructure improvements, despite claiming temporary measures were needed for construction. Airlines like Viva Aerobus have been barred from launching new U.S.-bound routes from AIFA to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Miami, and New York.
President Sheinbaum has maintained that a resolution with the United States is imminent. In early November 2025, she expressed confidence that negotiations would soon restore flight permissions, emphasizing dialogue and mutual respect. Mexican officials have argued that the restrictions unfairly penalize AIFA’s development and disrupt connectivity for millions of passengers in the Mexico City metropolitan area. The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) continues to engage with U.S. Authorities to resolve the dispute, though no formal agreement had been announced as of late April 2026.
The new rail connection aims to strengthen AIFA’s accessibility for travelers from northern Mexico City and the State of Mexico, addressing one of the airport’s persistent challenges: limited public transit options. Clara Brugada, Head of Government of Mexico City, highlighted that the train enhances regional integration and supports sustainable urban mobility by reducing reliance on private vehicles and congested highways. The service operates with modern electric trains equipped for accessibility, including spaces for wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles.
Despite the U.S. Route restrictions, AIFA handled 6.3 million passengers in 2024, according to data from the airport’s operator, Grupo Aeroportuario de la Ciudad de México. Whereas this represents growth from previous years, it remains significantly below AICM’s 40 million passengers in the same period. Officials acknowledge that rebuilding international confidence in AIFA will require both improved ground access and a restoration of U.S. Flight authorities. The success of the suburban train may play a role in demonstrating the airport’s viability as a multimodal transportation hub.
As of April 27, 2026, no new updates have been released regarding the status of U.S.-Mexico air transport negotiations. Travelers and industry observers are monitoring for announcements from the Mexican Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The next scheduled review of the bilateral agreement is not publicly documented, but both governments have indicated ongoing technical discussions.
For real-time updates on the Buenavista-AIFA train service, including schedules, fare changes, and operational alerts, the public can consult the official Mexico City Mobility website or the AIFA passenger information portal. To stay informed about developments in U.S.-Mexico aviation relations, official statements from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs are the primary verified sources.
We invite readers to share their experiences with the new AIFA train service or insights on Mexico’s aviation policy in the comments below. If you found this report informative, please consider sharing it with others interested in Latin American infrastructure and international relations.