16.781 Planning and Design of Airport Systems

1
16.781 Planning and Design of Airport Systems
Planning for a New International Hub in Mexico
City
Alvaro Covarrubias December 10th, 2002
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Outline

• Air market between North America and
  Central/South America.
  
• Competitive analysis of different hubs.
• Case studies airports trying to become hubs.
• A strategy for Mexico City.

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Air Market - Airports
Available Seats to Central and South America
For historical, cultural and geographic reasons,
Miami is the main gateway for traffic from Centra
l and South America.
4
Air Market - Airlines
Available Seats to Central and South America
As MIA is a hub for AA, the airline and its
partners dominates the traffic between the two
regions.
5
Air Market Main Destination in Central/South
America
Although Central America represents almost 45 of
the AS
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Air Market Main Destination in Central/South
America
It only represents a 20 of the ASM.
The business is in South America.
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Competitive Analysis Geographic Location
Evaluate the geographic suitability of
hubs, for traffic between the 13 airports
with more ASM from US gateways
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Competitive Analysis Geographic Location
To 18 of the largest metropolitan areas in the
US and Canada.
Results - MEX would only be competitive for tra
ffic to West Coast and Texas from Central America
, LIM, SCL, EZE. - IAH, DFW and LAX would be the
competitors.
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Competitive Analysis Delays/Capacity

• IAH and DFW
• High On-Time performance.
• High Capacity to grow. New runways are going to
  be built.
  
• LAX
• Lower than average on-time performance.
• Almost impossible to grow.

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Competitive Analysis Design

• DFW Linear buildings, not good for connections.
• IAH Hybrid design, regular quality for
  connections.
  
• LAX Finger piers, long separation between
  international and domestic terminals, no
  people-mover.

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Case Studies
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Conclusions

• Search for an alliance to operate the hub.
• Build airport gradually, be flexible.
• Design for easy connections.
• Engage with airlines, try joint operation of
  terminals.
  
• Land banking.
• Liberalize air service agreements.
• Volumes do not allow hub operation and
  multi-airports in Mexico City.

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• Thank you for your attention!
• Alvaro Covarrubias
• alvaroc_at_mit.edu