This was the first day of AIFA: between ambulantes and people who traveled from the US just to live the “historic moment”

March 21, 2022: a key date in the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, because beyond being the birth of Benito Juárez, it was the day when it was inaugurated the Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), one of the megaprojects of the Fourth Transformation (Q4).

The expectation for the new airport complex located in the military zone of Santa Lucia, in the State of Mexico, was so great that a security operation involving more than 1,300 members of the Municipal Police was deployed in Ecatepec since the day before, as the Via Morelos, Central Avenue, the Mexico-Pachuca highway and the Texcoco-Lecheria highway are the main routes to get to the AIFA.

For that reason, in the early hours of this Monday, from Ciudad Azteca, several officers could be seen in their vans with an announcement that read “Felipe Ángeles Security Operation”. The Infobae Mexico team left at 7:00 in the morning from the Angel of Independence. However, half an hour earlier, operations at AIFA had already begun: the first flight left for the president's home state: Tabasco, Villahermosa.

Mexico City was without passers-by or traffic, due to the mega-bridge that for some started since Friday the 18th. The rays of the sun barely entered the streets and radio, television and social networks were already talking about the inauguration of the airport in the municipality of Zumpango.

The trip was quoted on Uber and covered a journey of approximately 57 kilometers. It cost 388 pesos and lasted just over an hour. On the way, at least five security devices were observed by the National Guard and the Municipal Police of Ecatepec. The signs to the AIFA could be seen since before Indios Verdes, so there were no complications on the route. However, some sections inside the airport were not recognized by the Google Maps application.

Once the Santa Lucia military base was reached, members of the National Guard received the cars to search the plates and crew members on board. From that point on, the speed had to be reduced to a maximum of 30 kilometers per hour and heed the signs to reach the terminal base.

After passing through a station on line 1 of the Mexibus and traveling one kilometre, it was possible to notice some green, white and red letters almost two meters high that read “AIFA”, a sign that the air terminal was closer. In the distance, you could also see the Control Tower.

The heat began to rise and the first travelers, with suitcases in one hand and their cell phone in the other, recorded their arrival at Felipe Ángeles. All the cars went to the parking lot, in front of the entrance and exit platforms, where some people were waiting for their relatives to arrive.

Around 9:00am, the interior of the air terminal was almost empty. However, from one moment to another, entire families began to arrive. Some were with their respective luggage, while others arrived with AMLO and 4T caps, t-shirts and flags.

At 10:00am, the conglomeration of people increased considerably. As the minutes passed, the cherry bunting multiplied and the first batons began to be heard towards the federal president. “AMLO, we are with you”, “Viva AMLO” and “AMLO, Mexico supports you” were some of the slogans that the followers of the Fourth Transformation chanted.

There were also those who took the opportunity to promote the revocation of the mandate. Through a megaphone they invited travelers to vote for the president of Mexico to continue his work at the head of the Executive. “Say yes to Obrador”, they said as more passengers arrived at the terminal with a look of joy on their faces.

Such was the case with Arturo Hernandez, who left Boston, United States, to learn about the new airport complex. For this, he had to get to Tijuana first. Later, from the northern border he traveled to Cuernavaca and from there he took a bus that charged him 500 pesos and left him at AIFA.

Arturo decided to visit Felipe Angeles Airport for three main reasons: because Mexico City International Airport was saturated and because AIFA's location is closer to his home in Cuernavaca. However, his main reason, he explained to Infobae Mexico, was to get to know one of Andrés Manuel's flagship projects, so he wanted to be part of this “historic moment” as he was one of the first travelers to visit the new airport.

One of the aspects that attracted the most attention on the day of its opening was the presence of street stalls in the corridors of the air terminal. On the sides of the waiting area, a series of tables were set up for merchants to sell their products.

Most of the items were handicrafts such as blankets, blankets, earrings, charms, and accessories. Although there were also some stalls set up on the ground where exclusive AMLO merchandise was sold, from portraits and posters, to t-shirts, stuffed animals and mugs.

In an interview for this media outlet, Rosa Sosa, a woman from Oaxaca, commented that since Saturday, March 19, they were allowed to settle. However, they were not assured until what day they could stay in the vicinity of the airport. According to Mr. Fabiola (she doesn't remember her last name), who first contacted them to sell their merchandise at AIFA, it would be until Monday, March 21, the last day for them to make their sales.

However, Rosa hopes that, at least, they will let them finish the week. Together with Felix Ruiz, they traveled from Tepoztlán, where they have their business called “Oaxacan Handicrafts, Zapotec Roots”, a name derived from their dialect and place of origin. Both are from the Teotitlán del Valle community.

To get to the AIFA, they took a bus from Tepoztlán to the Tasqueña terminal. And from there they had to order a taxi to take them to the base of Saint Lucia. The journey time, they said, was three and a half hours and cost more than 600 pesos, a trip they have to make back home. As for their merchandise, they had to transport it in plastic bags. Rosa pointed out that sales up to that point were not very good due to the time (approximately 11:00 in the morning). However, people who came to ask about their handicrafts were abundant.

He also explained that his working hours were from 6:00 in the morning to 16:00 in the afternoon. Although they do not have a contract or signed any documents for accreditation as street vendors, Rosa said she is grateful for this opportunity, as it can help grow her business and let tourists learn about the handicrafts that are made in Oaxaca. Thus, Rosa and Felix were part of the dozen street stalls that were present at the inauguration of AIFA.

But not only were handicrafts and articles about AMLO sold, because there was even a lady who settled near the parking lot with a small anafre to sell tlayudas - golden green omelette smeared with beans, cactus and salsa - to calm the hunger of travelers. And there were not a few who came close, since the line was about 20 meters.

When the sun was at its highest point (around 1:00 p.m.), the first visiting families left back, so the Mexibus Line 1 terminal was full. And just as some left, others arrived. The lines to go up to the first floor - where the flight records were made - were more than 90 meters.

Another person who traveled from the United States for the sole purpose of getting to know this mega-project was Emiliano Servín. In an interview with Infobae Mexico, he said that he had to make a crossing from California and make a stop in Guadalajara to reach this new airport, because in addition to being closer to his old home in Michoacán, he said he had great admiration for the president of Mexico.

He planned his trip for 20 days, since he travels at least three times a year to Aztec territory. Emiliano's first impressions of AIFA were positive. He assured that he did not have any complications in his way and the facilities seemed to him “first world”. The native of Michoacán was waiting to see if he had the opportunity to see AMLO, for whom he felt great admiration.

Similarly, Raúl Rodríguez traveled from Houston, United States, to Guadalajara, and from there he took the first flight for AIFA. Like Arturo and Emiliano, Raúl wanted to know one of the flagship projects of Q4. In an interview for this medium, Rodríguez said that during the flight the atmosphere was very jovial and cheerful. The crew members even cheered on President Andrés Manuel “and the airline discussed breakfast,” he said.

Just as there were those who arrived at the airport by public transport, private buses or by car, there were also those who opted for another form of mobility. This was the case of Eduardo Torres, who, from Ecatepec, arrived at AIFA by bicycle. The 59-year-old had to travel a distance of 36 kilometers from the municipal seat of San Cristobal to the base of Santa Lucia in a two-hour journey.

In an interview with Infobae Mexico, Eduardo said that since the beginning of the pandemic he has made the decision to exercise constantly. And that's how he started doing long bike rides. Due to his experience, Mr. Torres did not have any complications to get to AIFA. The signs, he said, were clear and the bus drivers were respectful of him.

Since it was announced on opening day, Eduardo planned to make this trip. He also commented that in the future he would like to travel to Cancun from the new airport. Meanwhile, you will take a tour to get to know the other facilities, such as the Mammoth Museum.

On the return trip, most people - who did not carry luggage - chose to take the Mexibus (since the Suburban Train was not operating yet), while those who did travel decided to hire private taxis from the airport; or, family members went for them. The average time to get from the AIFA terminal to the Ojo de Agua base in Mexibus is approximately one hour. And, since it was opening day, there was no cost to access it.

On its first day, Felipe Angeles International Airport had a total of 22 air operations scheduled, including an international flight coming from Caracas, Venezuela. The opening event was attended (in addition to President Andrés Manuel): Arturo Saldivar, Olga Sánchez Cordero, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Marcelo Ebrard, as well as the head of government, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the governors of the State of Mexico and Hidalgo, Alfredo del Mazo and Omar Fayad, respectively.

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