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NLU · large airport

Felipe Ángeles International Airport

Mexico City, Mexico

Airports
NLUlarge airport

Felipe Ángeles International Airport

Mexico City, Mexico
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MMSM
ICAO
7369 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Mexico City's newest international airport serving the northern region.

Opened
2022
Location
Zumpango, Mexico
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU/MMSM) is a major commercial airport located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, approximately 50 kilometers north of Mexico City's historic center. It was built on the grounds of the former Santa Lucía Air Force Base and was inaugurated in March 2022 as part of a major infrastructure initiative under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The airport was conceived as an alternative to the heavily congested Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) and was intended to relieve air traffic pressure across the Mexico City metropolitan area. Despite significant government promotion, the airport faced slow passenger uptake in its early years of operation. Named after Felipe Ángeles, a general who served during the Mexican Revolution, the airport represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Mexico's recent history. It operates alongside Benito Juárez and Toluca airports as part of a multi-airport system serving the greater Mexico City region.
Terminals
The airport features a single terminal building designed to handle both domestic and international passengers.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include a dedicated bus service (Mexicobus) and shuttle connections linking the airport to Mexico City's metro and suburban rail network.
Airlines here
Airlines operating at NLU have included Aeromexico, VivaAerobus, and Volaris, though schedules and carriers have shifted since opening.
Notable facts
  • Built on the site of the former Base Aérea Militar No. 1 (Santa Lucía Air Force Base).
  • Located approximately 50 km north of Mexico City's historic center.
  • Inaugurated on March 21, 2022, by President López Obrador.
  • Named after Mexican Revolution general Felipe Ángeles.
  • Designed with a capacity to handle tens of millions of passengers annually at full buildout.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Mexico City's newest gateway rising from the northern highlands

Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU), inaugurated in March 2022, is built on the former Santa Lucía Air Force Base in Zumpango, approximately 50 kilometres north of central Mexico City. Named after revolutionary general Felipe Ángeles, the airport was developed as a federal alternative to the heavily congested Benito Juárez International Airport. It serves a growing portfolio of domestic and international routes, positioning itself as a complementary hub for the Mexican capital.

Terminals
  • Terminal 1 — The airport's single integrated terminal handling all passenger departures and arrivals, featuring modern check-in halls, security lanes, and commercial concessions.
Ground Transport
  • Suburban train (Tren Suburbano) connecting NLU to Buenavista station in central Mexico City
  • Public bus services operating between the airport and nearby municipalities
  • Authorized taxi and ride-hailing services available at designated ground-floor stands
  • Car rental counters located within the terminal building
  • Private shuttle services connecting to Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX)
Nearby Hotels
  • Holiday Inn Express Zumpango
  • Fiesta Inn Pachuca
  • Hampton Inn Tlalnepantla
  • City Express Tultitlán
Dining

Inside the terminal, passengers will find a modest but growing selection of quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, and convenience outlets reflecting Mexican and international flavours. The surrounding Zumpango area offers local taquerias and casual dining establishments a short drive from the airport. Options within the terminal continue to expand as airline traffic and passenger volumes increase.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive well in advance as road access via the Autopista México-Pachuca can experience congestion, especially during peak hours.
  • The Tren Suburbano is the most reliable and cost-effective way to connect to central Mexico City; confirm current service schedules before travelling.
  • NLU is significantly farther from Mexico City's historic centre than MEX — factor in at least 60 to 90 minutes of travel time each way.
  • Currency exchange and ATM facilities are available in the terminal, but carrying some Mexican pesos on arrival is advisable given limited nearby commercial areas.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

Stay, Eat & Explore: Mexico City

The palimpsest metropolis

  • Zócalo & Templo Mayor — The great square atop the Aztec ceremonial center.
  • Frida Kahlo Museum — The Blue House in Coyoacán — book ahead.
  • Chapultepec Park & Castle — A forest twice Central Park's size, with a hilltop castle.
  • Teotihuacan day trip — Climb the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon.
  • Xochimilco — Painted trajinera boats on Aztec-era canals.

Getting around: The Metro is vast and 5 pesos; use app-cabs at night. Metrobús Line 4 serves the airport.

Hotels near NLU

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via NLU? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Mexico from official government sources.

Felipe Ángeles International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Felipe Ángeles International Airport, also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or simply Mexico City-AIFA, is an international airport located in Zumpango, State of Mexico, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Mexico City. Originally named Santa Lucía Air Force Base, it opened for civilian use in 2022, serving as the third airport for Greater Mexico City, in addition to Mexico City International Airport and Toluca International Airport. The passenger terminal facilitates domestic and international flights, functioning as a focus city for Viva and Aeroméxico Connect as well as the main hub for the state-owned domestic airline Mexicana de Aviación. Apart from civilian operations, the airport accommodates the Mexican Air Force, general aviation, and charter flight services.

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