Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is in a race against time to finish a thorough renovation before millions of visitors land in Mexico’s busiest air terminal for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The construction began in May 2025 with the understanding that they would be completed by May 30 this year — that is, in less than two weeks. With less than a month to go for the tournament’s inaugural match in Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that the renovations would be completed within the set deadline.
Workers at Mexico City International Airport are scrambling to finish months of disruptive renovations before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. pic.twitter.com/qUgTYbZqqw
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 20, 2026
“The works will be completed on time and in good condition […] to receive millions of tourists and athletes,” Sheinbaum said at her May 11 press conference, referring as well to the various renovation projects currently being done across the city.
However, Director General of AICM Admiral Juan José Padilla recently told the Associated Press that while the main construction projects would be completed by the end of May, some renovations would continue behind the scenes without disrupting passengers.
“Starting June, passengers will not see any construction at the airport.” Padilla said. “There will be some areas that we will continue working on, but these are areas that do not affect the comfort of the experience of passengers,” he added.
Currently, the airport’s users in Terminals 1 and 2 share the space with some 2,000 construction workers who have been working day and night for the past year in an effort to finish the construction on time.
“We guarantee [passengers] that the restrooms, parking lots, everything will be operational,” Padilla stressed.
What will change with the renovation?
Once the renovation is completed, Padilla said that passing through security would be a “very quick” experience for passengers.
“We envision it taking 5 or 10 minutes at most, even when the airport is very crowded,” he said.
Padilla also said travelers “won’t need to seek out a VIP lounge to enjoy comfort, internet access, or to sit comfortably and enjoy a coffee.”
Renovation Coordinator Arturo Flores Melgoza told the newspaper El Universal in March that the main objective of the remodel is to give the airport a unified visual identity. He also apologized to passengers for any inconveniences caused by the renovations, and promised it would be worth the wait.
“The airport is being remodeled for Mexicans, not just for the World Cup,” he said.
With reports from El Universal and AP
