[4] Originally named Santa Lucía Air Force Base, it opened for civilian use in 2022, serving as the second airport for Greater Mexico City.

[citation needed] Large infrastructure projects in Mexico, notably in transportation, have historically been key elements of presidential legacies.

In 2002, President Vicente Fox unveiled an ambitious plan for a new, expansive airport on 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of land in the municipalities of Atenco and Texcoco.

This proposal aimed to address the congestion issues at Mexico City International Airport and meet the growing demands of air travel.

However, the Atenco project faced significant opposition and controversy, particularly from the Community Front in Defense of Land (Spanish: Frente del Pueblo en Defensa de La Tierra, FPDT), an organization representing locals who would be displaced by the airport's construction.

Faced with mounting opposition and controversy, President López Obrador, then a presidential candidate, campaigned against the ongoing Texcoco Airport construction.

[14] Construction started on 17 October 2019,[15] following the lifting of multiple judicial suspensions against the project,[16] primarily due to environmental and cultural study concerns and lack of transparency.

[17][18] The relocation and resizing of military facilities, including the runway, apron, and hangars, were undertaken to align with the specifications of the new civilian airport.

The construction period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to infection among at least four employees, along with 37 suspected cases and three deaths as of 9 June 2020, despite efforts to enforce social distancing and other preventive measures.

[24][25] Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) commenced operations on 21 March 2022, with VivaAerobús launching the first commercial passenger flight arriving from Guadalajara.

[27] The airport's development has become a focal point in Mexico's political discourse, representing ideological clashes and embodying deeper conflicts.

Although the Department of National Defense (SEDENA) declared that the civilian runways at Felipe Ángeles Airport would feature a CAT III precision approach system, during the joint publication of official aerodrome information with the Department of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) and SENEAM, on 16 December 2021, the ILS system was officially declared as CAT I for the airport's inauguration, allowing for simultaneous operations.

The passenger terminal at Felipe Ángeles Airport accommodates both arrival and departure services for domestic and international flights within a multi-story building parallel to runway 04C/22C.

[32] It encompasses three clusters of facilities: The first one is an airside area where activities revolve around airline cargo operations and ground handling services provided by regulated warehouses spanning 252,900 square metres (2,722,000 sq ft).

The primary vehicular entrance to the airport is connected to a highway from the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense, spanning approximately 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi).

The terminal comprises ticket counters, automated machines, waiting areas, a VIP lounge, ATMs, retail stores, currency exchange services, souvenir shops, package services, a cargo warehouse, toilets, administrative offices, staff rest areas, and other amenities, including Wi-Fi, fast food options, and toilets.

[55] Private company Autobuses de Oriente provides connections to and from TAPO, Indios Verdes, and Mexico City International Airport.

[57] These services are current as of November 2023: The airport provides designated boarding areas for taxis that have received approval from the Department of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT).

The Mexibús bus rapid transit system Line I, offers a connection to Ojo de Agua station in the State of Mexico.

Plans are underway to extend Mexibús Line IV to AIFA in the future, creating an additional connection between the airport and the metro system at Indios Verdes station.

[60][61] Originally anticipated for completion by December 2023, delays related to construction challenges, particularly the relocation of tracks for cargo-carrying trains, pushed the expected opening to June 2024.

It serves as a hub for various units and headquarters related to reconnaissance, transport, combat wings, specialized training centers, and sports facilities.