AICM airport tax to increase in 2023
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, the Airport Use Fee (TUA) at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) will increase by 7.8% for both domestic and international flights. For domestic flights, the TUA will increase from US $26.02 to $28.04, while for international flights, it will go from US $49.41 to US $53.24. This is the biggest jump registered during the current presidential term.
The amount of the TUA is established by the Mexican tax authority (SHCP) and is based on the increase in the consumer price index published by the U.S. Federal Reserve. It can represent up to 60% of the price of a ticket, depending on the airline.
Rates have gone up again for domestic flights
After a price drop during the pandemic, domestic flights rates have gone up again due to the volatility of fuel prices linked to the Russia-Ukraine war. Since 2019, the cost of jet fuel has increased by almost 7% reaching $11.64 pesos per liter.
The average cost of flying the most important domestic route, which connects Mexico City with Cancún, reported an increase of 46.3% in the last three years – meaning that it went from $2,110 pesos in October 2019, to nearly $3,087 in 2022.
In the national airline industry, fuel represents about 32% of operating expenses; however, the proportion climbed to 40% since the war.
Cancún airport breaks 30-million passenger record
“Congratulations 30th million passenger!”
That’s the message of a banner local authorities at Cancún airport used to congratulate Lisa Marie Stickley, a passenger from Indianapolis, U.S., who with husband Chad, helped Quintana Roo break its own record for this year.
The state’s governor Mara Lezama Espinosa said that in 2019, her government had “discussed the possibility of reaching 26 or 27 million [passengers].” As time went by, she said, “we knew there was the possibility of reaching the 30 million figure we have reached.”
She added that Quintana Roo is not only recovering from the pandemic, but also far exceeding the anticipated passenger traffic.
Lucky Lisa was greeted with mariachis and received two plane tickets, a three-night voucher at Atelier hotels, and different products from stores at the Cancún airport.
Mexico’s first catalog of wine tourism
Mexico released its first Catalog of Routes and Wine Tourism Products 2022, created by the Ministry of Tourism, the Mexican Viticulture Council (CMV) and the Ministries of Tourism from the 14 wine-producer states.
Minister of Tourism Miguel Torrujo said the catalog seeks to highlight wine tourism in México and attract visitors to the nearby local attractions. It will also encourage readers to learn about pairing and to participate in cheese workshops.
Mexico’s wine industry has won over 1,500 international recognitions and currently has 10 wine tourism routes in the states of Aguascalientes, Baja California, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and Querétaro.
“Nación de Vinos 2023” in January 2023
The 4th “Nación de Vinos” (Wine Nation) event is happening from Jan. 23-28 in Mexico’s City Campo Marte . The 2023 edition will host wine tastings, workshops, and special dinners that will take guests through a wine and culinary tour of five Mexican states.
More than 80 bodegas and 15 restaurants from across the country will come together to experience the best of Mexico’s wine industry, and restaurants like Pujol (named 5th best restaurant in the world), Rosetta (60th best), Pangea and Contramar will offer exclusive culinary experiences to all attendees.
The event aims for all guests to closely interact with winemakers, chefs and owners of each one of the invited wineries so that they can all share their processes and collaborate.
New ecological reserve announced in Quintana Roo
On Monday, president López Obrador announced that a new ecological park named “El Manglar” will be built nearby El Cid hotel in Puerto Morelos.
“Businessman Julio Berdegué bought some land near El Cid hotel […] and told his children to save 500 hectares of manglers to build a natural park,” said the president, adding that the heirs have come to him saying they wish to donate such a piece of land.
Construction is set to begin in 2023 and the project will complement work on the Maya Train.
With reports from El Economista, La Verdad Noticias, El Financiero, Forbes México, Por Esto, Travel and Leisure and Travesias Digital.
