Wikipedia

Terminal Aérea metro station

Terminal Aérea metro station[b] is a station on the Mexico City Metro in the city's borough of Venustiano Carranza. It is an underground station with two side platforms serving Line 5 (the Yellow Line), located between Oceanía and Hangares stations. It opened on 19 December 1981, providing service northwest toward Consulado station and east toward Pantitlán station.

Pictogram of Terminal Aérea metro station. It features an airliner parked in front of a control tower. Terminal Aérea
Mexico City Metro
A sign indicating one of the entrances to Terminal Aérea station.
Station sign, 2006
General information
LocationPuerto Aéreo Boulevard
Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City
Mexico
Coordinates19°26′01″N 99°05′16″W / 19.433734°N 99.087667°W / 19.433734; -99.087667
SystemMexico City Metro
Owned byGovernment of Mexico City
Operated bySistema de Transporte Colectivo (STC)
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Other information
StatusIn service
History
Opened19 December 1981; 44 years ago (1981-12-19)
Passengers
20255,310,560[1][a] Increase 4.07%
Rank97/195[1][a]
Services
Preceding station Mexico City Metro Following station
Oceanía
toward Politécnico
 Line 5 Hangares
toward Pantitlán
Out-of-system transfer (airplane passengers only)
Preceding station Aerotrén Following station
Terminus Aerotrén
transfer at Terminal 1
 Terminal 2
Terminus
Location
Terminal Aérea is located in Mexico City
Terminal Aérea
Pictogram of Terminal Aérea metro station. It features an airliner parked in front of a control tower. Terminal Aérea
Location within Mexico City
Map
Area map and exits

Terminal Aérea serves Mexico City International Airport and the nearby colonias (neighborhoods) of Peñón de los Baños and Moctezuma 2ª Sección along Boulevard Puerto Aéreo. Its pictogram depicts an airliner and a control tower, reflecting the station's proximity to the airport's Terminal 1. The station also has six murals painted by David Lach.

In 2025, the station had an average daily ridership of 14,549 passengers, ranking it the 97th busiest station in the network.

Location and layout

edit
Multiple people wait on the sidewalk along Boulevard Puerto Aéreo next to the station entrance.
The Terminal Aérea bus stop seen from Boulevard Puerto Aéreo

Terminal Aérea is an underground metro station on Line 5 on Boulevard Puerto Aéreo, in the Venustiano Carranza borough, in eastern Mexico City.[3][4] It is located approximately 200 meters (660 ft) from the entrance to Gate A of Terminal 1 at Mexico City International Airport.[5][6] It serves two Colonias ("neighborhoods") of Peñón de los Baños and Moctezuma 2ª Sección.[7]

Terminal Aérea metro station has two exits leading to Boulevard Puerto Aéreo, though neither provides direct access to the airport. The east exit is at the corner of Calle Aeropuerto Civil, in Peñón de los Baños, while the western entrance is found between Calle Norte 33 and Calle Oriente 33 in Moctezuma 2ª Sección.[7] In its Policy Review of Mexico, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development criticized the station for lacking adequate signage and for not being designed for first-time travelers, noting that passengers "must negotiate over 110 steps" to reach it.[8]

Terminal Aérea is located between Oceanía and Hangares stations on the line.[7] The area is also served by Terminal 1 station of the Metrobús service, Line 4 (formerly Line G) of the trolleybus system,[7] Routes 43 and 200 of the Red de Transporte de Pasajeros network,[9] by Route 20-B of the city's public bus system,[10] and the airport's people mover, Aerotrén.[11]

Landmarks

edit

Terminal Aérea station has six murals painted in 1981 by Mexican artist David Lach, making him the first person to create murals inside the Mexico City Metro.[12] Four of the murals, collectively titled Paisajes cálidos y fríos (transl. Warm and Cold Landscapes,[13] are located on the platform's headwalls, with the Cálidos murals on the southern walls and the Fríos murals on the northern walls.[4] According to Lach, the red and green colors symbolize direction and temperature.[14] The other two murals, Tlaltilco in the eastern lobby and Cuitzeo in the western lobby, blend elements of pre-Columbian culture with contemporary Mexican imagery.[4][13][12]

Near Terminal Aérea metro station, a pedestrian bridge known as "MacPuente" serves as an informal observation deck where people gather to watch airplanes land and take off.[15][16]

History and construction

edit
View of the two side platforms located inside Terminal Aérea.
The station platforms in 2006

Line 5 of the Mexico City Metro was constructed by Cometro, a subsidiary of Empresas ICA.[4] Its first section, where Terminal Aérea station is located, opened on 19 December 1981, running from Pantitlán to Consulado stations.[17]

Terminal Aérea metro station was built with Santo Tomás marble floors, travertine marble walls, and rustic-textured stucco plafond.[4] The track section between Oceanía and Terminal Aérea stations spans 1,174 meters (3,852 ft),[18] and descends from ground level to the underground section, with a 4.9 percent slope when the line opened.[19] The opposite section toward Hangares, which is 1,153 meters (3,783 ft) long,[18][20] was built using slurry walls and the Milan method.[4]

Near the station, in Peñon de los Baños, workers discovered the remains of mammoths, bison, horses, camels, birds, and fish, as well as a Teotihuacan settlement.[21]

Name and pictogram

edit

Before Terminal Aérea metro station was built, Mexico City International Airport was serviced by the [[Boulevard Puerto Aéreo metro station|Aeropuerto station]] on Line 1 (Pink line), located 15 blocks away to the south.[22] After Terminal Aérea station was opened, many passengers continued to disembark at Aeropuerto station because of its confusing name and airliner pictogram.[23][24] It was not until 1997 that the station was renamed "Boulevard Puerto Aéreo", and the logo was changed to depict a bridge with a dome beneath it, reflecting nearby landmarks.[25] By contrast, the pictogram for Terminal Aérea metro station depicts an airliner in front of a control tower.[7]

Incidents

edit

On 4 May 2015, a train collided at Oceanía metro station when a train arriving from Terminal Aérea crashed into another one parked at the end of the platform. Authorities attributed the crash to brake failure, coupled with heavy rain and hail.[26] Terminal Aérea station was temporarily closed for repairs after the accident.[27]

Since 1981, subsidence caused by rain had increased the slope between Oceanía and Terminal Aérea to at least seven percent. To address further sinkings, authorities planned a 1 km (0.62 mi) tunnel extension, but the project was canceled because of budget constraints.[28][26] Instead, an 800 m (0.50 mi) rain shield costing Mex$65 million was built to prevent the tracks from getting wet and reduce the risk of trains sliding.[29]

From 1 to 16 March 2020, Terminal Aérea, Hangares, and Pantitlán stations were closed due to a gasoline leak at a surface petrol station.[30]

Unlike other metro stations that were renovated for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Terminal Aérea was not refurbished. La Jornada reported in March 2026 that the station had damp walls, saltpeter buildup on the ceilings, a grated drain with leaks, rusted metal structures, sheets and wires used to cover leaks, nonfunctional lamps, and dirty mural cases. The water-related issues worsen during the rainy season.[31] In the same year, a guide rail expanded in the section leading to Hangares station, reportedly because of heat, causing a partial closure for most of the day on 7 May.[32]

Ridership

edit
Graphic showing daily ridership
Daily ridership for Terminal Aérea station in 2024

According to official data, before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the station recorded between 16,700 and 18,400 average daily entries from 2016 to 2019. In 2025, it recorded 5,310,560 passengers, ranking 97th among the system's 195 stations.[1]

Annual passenger ridership[a]
Year Ridership Average daily Rank % change Ref.
20255,310,56014,54997/195+4.07%[1]
20245,102,67013,94193/195−10.76%[1]
20235,718,20715,66679/195−0.15%[1]
20225,727,08215,69069/195+29.58%[1]
20214,419,69312,10864/195+12.09%[33]
20203,943,04510,77392/195−41.25%[34]
20196,712,06218,38996/195+1.13%[35]
20186,637,34318,184100/195+5.65%[36]
20176,282,48417,212105/195+2.70%[37]
20166,117,19016,713108/195+3.03%[38]
edit
Murals by David Lach
Picture of a mural titled Cuitzeo, which depicts two pumas seeing some archaic edifications.
Cuitzeo, in honor of pre-Hispanic cultures
Picture of a mural titled Tlatilco, which depicts an isolated land.
Tlatilco, in honor of pre-Hispanic cultures
A red-colored mural depicting a hill made with fiberglass.
One of the Paisajes Cálidos
A green-colored mural depicting a hill made with fiberglass.
One of the Paisajes Fríos
There are multiple murals inside Terminal Aérea station.

Notes

edit
  1. 1 2 3 The data here is limited to the most recent ten years to avoid excessive listings; earlier figures can be found in this page's history or on the Mexico City Metro website. To calculate the average daily ridership, the annual total is divided by 365 days (366 in leap years), with decimals omitted from the result. Each station per line is ranked individually, as the system counts transfer stations separately. The percentage change is calculated automatically using the data from the current year and the previous year.
  2. ↑ Estación del Metro Terminal Aérea. Spanish pronunciation: [teɾmiˈnal aˈe.ɾea] ⓘ. The name of the station literally means "Air Terminal" in Spanish, and it is known in English as Air Terminal station.[2]

References

edit
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Afluencia de estación por línea (2022–presente)" [Station traffic by line (2022–present)] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2025. Archived from the original on 8 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  2. ↑ Sultana, Selima; Weber, Joe (2016). Minicars, Maglevs, and Mopeds: Modern Modes of Transportation Around the World. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-4408-3494-3.
  3. ↑ "Metro". Mexico City International Airport. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Línea 5, Ciudad de México" [Line 5, Mexico City] (in Spanish). iNGENET Infraestructura. 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Baird, David; Cristiano, Juan; Bairstow, Lynne (2007). Frommer's Mexico 2008. New York City: John Wiley & Son. p. 90. ISBN 9780470145746.
  6. ↑ Harvard Student Agencies (1995). Hale-Wehmann, Kenneth (ed.). "Let's Go: The Budget Guide to Mexico". Let's Go!. New York City: St. Martin's Press: 60. ISSN 0884-6529. OCLC 11735368.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Terminal Aérea" (in Spanish). Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  8. ↑ OECD (2017). OECD Studies on Tourism: Tourism Policy Review of Mexico. Paris, France: OECD. p. 105. ISBN 978-92-64-26657-5. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Red de Rutas" [Routes network] (in Spanish). Red de Transporte de Pasajeros. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Red de corredores" [Route network]. Organismo Regulador de Transporte (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Aerotren". Mexico City International Airport. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Un verano para disfrutar los murales expuestos en estaciones del Metro" [A summer to enjoy the murals displayed in Metro stations] (in Spanish). Radio Fórmula. 21 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  13. 1 2 "Primer periodo ordinario de sesiones del segundo año de ejercicio" [First ordinary session of the second year of activities] (PDF) (in Spanish). Legislative Assembly of Mexico City. 25 July 2007. p. 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Paisajes cálidos y fríos" [Warm and Cold Landscapes] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  15. ↑ Bialostozky, Héctor (28 August 2019). "MacPuente: el puente peatonal en el Aeropuerto que se usa como mirador de aviones" [MacPuente: the pedestrian bridge at the airport that serves as a spot for watching planes] (in Spanish). Local.mx. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  16. ↑ De Anda, Tamara (14 December 2017). "Excéntrica CDMX – Vuela, vuela" [Eccentric Mexico City – Voyage, voyage] (in Spanish). máspormás. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  17. ↑ "Baia, Baia, Tacubaya... Las estaciones del metro MÁS y MENOS utilizadas en CDMX" [Well, well, well... The MOST and LEAST used stations in Mexico City] (in Spanish). Nación 321. 4 September 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  18. 1 2 "Longitud de estación a estación por línea" [Length from station to station by line] (in Spanish). Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  19. ↑ "Plan Maestro del Metro 2018 – 2030" [Master Plan 2018 – 2030] (PDF) (in Spanish). Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2018. p. 59. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 December 2019.
  20. ↑ Gamez Rojas, Marlen (2010). "Análisis de riesgos de incendio en el Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro" [Fire risk analysis in the Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro] (PDF) (in Spanish). Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. p. 94. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2020.
  21. ↑ Sánchez Vázquez, Ma. de Jesús; Mena Cruz, Alberto; Carballal Staedtler, Margarita (2010). "Investigación Arqueológica en la Construcción del Metro" [Archaeological Research During Metro Construction] (PDF) (in Spanish). Mexico City: Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  22. ↑ Asociación del Congreso Panamericano de Ferrocarriles (1975). Boletín de la Comisión Permanente [Bulletin of the Standing Committee] (in Spanish). Vol. 58. p. 154.
  23. ↑ Noble, John; Bernhardson, Wayne (1995). Mexico (5 ed.). Hawthorn, Victoria: Lonely Planet. p. 219. ISBN 0864422911.
  24. ↑ Wood, Andrew G. (2003). Pilcher, Jeffrey M. (ed.). The Human Tradition in Mexico. Wilmington, Delaware: SR Books. p. 185. ISBN 0-8420-2975-3.
  25. ↑ Santos Gallagher, Hugo (14 July 2017). "¿Por qué algunas estaciones del Metro cambiaron de nombre?" [Why did some Metro stations change their names?]. El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  26. 1 2 Pazos, Francisco (27 July 2016). "Techumbre antilluvia alcanza 45% de avance de la Línea 5: Terminal Aérea y Oceanía" [Rainwater drainage system reaches 45% completion on Line 5: Terminal Aérea and Oceanía]. Excélsior (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  27. ↑ Alarcón, Rodrigo (5 May 2015). "RTP brindará traslado gratuito de Pantitlán a Eduardo Molina" [Red de Transporte de Pasajeros will provide free service from Pantitlán to Eduardo Molina]. Excélsior. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  28. ↑ Kornei, Katherine (20 December 2017). "Sinking of Mexico City linked to metro accident, with more to come". Science. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  29. ↑ Valdez, Ilich (13 December 2016). "Concluyen obra en L5 del Metro para evitar accidentes" [Work on Metro Line 5 is completed to prevent accidents]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  30. ↑ "Reabren estaciones de L5 del Metro cerradas por fuga de gasolina" [Metro Line 5 stations closed due to a gasoline leak have reopened]. Milenio (in Spanish). 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  31. ↑ Ramírez Bautista, Nayelli (13 March 2026). "Humedad, salitre y goteras están fuera de las mejoras que el STC realiza de cara al Mundial" [Moisture, saltpeter buildup, and leaks are not part of the improvements the STC is carrying out ahead of the World Cup.]. La Jornada. Archived from the original on 17 March 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  32. ↑ Mejía Fernández de Lara, Rafael (7 May 2026). "Servicio de la Línea 5 del Metro de CdMx se reanuda con normalidad" [Service on Line 5 of the Mexico City Metro has resumed as usual]. Milenio (in Spanish). Mexico City. Archived from the original on 8 May 2026. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2021" [Station traffic by line in 2021] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2020" [Station traffic by line in 2020] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2021. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  35. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2019" [Station traffic by line in 2019] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  36. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2018" [Station traffic by line in 2018] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  37. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2017" [Station traffic by line in 2017] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2019. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  38. ↑ "Afluencia de estación por línea 2016" [Station traffic by line in 2016] (in Spanish). Sistema Transporte Colectivo Metro. 2017. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Terminal_Aérea_metro_station&oldid=1361028311"