World Cup 2026: Mexico deploys 'air bridges' using helicopters to connect match venues

TTXVN correspondent in Mexico cites information from the Mexican Private Aviation Association (AMAGE) predicting that demand for helicopters and charter flights will surge during the 2026 World Cup, as international tourists flock to the capital in unprecedented numbers.

Companies in this sector are building an "air bridge" model connecting areas with high tourist concentrations such as Benito Juárez International Airport, Toluca Airport, Reforma financial center, Santa Fe, and Polanco to landing pads near stadiums, from which passengers continue by car to match venues.

AMAGE states that flight time to match venues averages only about 20–25 minutes, instead of 2–3 hours by road. Helicopter models like the Bell 505, Bell 407, or Airbus EC130 can carry 4–7 passengers per trip, providing a fast travel solution amid frequently congested road traffic.

According to AMAGE, private flight numbers in Mexico could increase by 1,500–2,000 additional flights during the 2026 World Cup, posing high demands for air traffic control and ground service infrastructure. Meanwhile, two airports in the outskirts of Mexico City, Toluca and Felipe Ángeles, are designated as main hubs for private aviation in the capital, as Benito Juárez International Airport is expected to prioritize commercial and diplomatic flights.

AMAGE experts say expanding helicopter and charter flight services not only serves VIPs, businesspeople, and teams but also provides a supplementary solution to relieve the overloaded road system in Mexico City—one of the world's most densely vehicle-populated megacities.

World Cup 2026 will be the first global-scale sporting event hosted simultaneously in three North American countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. In Mexico City alone, Estadio Azteca stadium is slated to host the opening match and many key games, leading to forecasts of a surge in intra-city travel demand during the tournament.