Powering passenger growth at Felipe Angeles International Airport

Ensuring 24/7 operation in order to maximise passenger capacity was a key performance target for Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) – Mexico’s second largest – when it opened in 2022.

The former military aviation site, located 35km north of Mexico City, was inaugurated for civilian use after a three-year redevelopment project designed to boost flight-handling capacity in the country’s capital. 

Previously known as the Santa Lucia Air Force Base, AIFA was constructed to handle up to 20 million passengers per year – a number that demanded high-quality power supply and ultra-long service life.

Collaborating to secure 24/7 power supply

Together with partners Fabricante Eléctrico Nacional (FEN), we provided a solution featuring 42 state-of-the-art solid insulating switchgears, each of which rely on ABB vacuum interrupter technology.

The switchgears, designed and commissioned by FEN, feature multiple configurations and are integral to ensuring uninterrupted power supply at AIFA. ABB’s VG10 vacuum interrupters proved essential for delivering the KPIs of reliability, longevity and efficiency. 

Compact, robust and with more than 8 million units installed, the VG10 is designed to withstand extreme demands over a lifespan of at least 30 years without the need for maintenance. 

Since its three runways started operation in March 2022, AIFA, which covers an area of 1,531 hectares (3,780 acres), has experienced zero downtime.

In addition, ABB KNX Smart Buildings technology maximizes energy efficiency and passenger comfort in the passenger terminal building, while 58 ABB E-mobility Terra AC chargers cater for EV charging.

Meantime, reliable power supply for the airport's critical infrastructure is secured thanks to uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems from ABB Smart Power. These ensure that the air traffic control tower always has a back-up.

Factfile

• AIFA is situated at an elevation of 2,246 meters above sea level.
• It was built to accommodate wide-bodied jets such as the Boeing 787 and 747.
• Its three runways (two at 4500m and one at 3500m) are the longest in Mexico.
• AIFA’s taxiways have a total length of 17 miles.
• Uniquely, AIFA is home to a mammoth museum, where the remains of approximately 200 mammoths, discovered during construction, are preserved, exhibited and studied.

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