Obrador not “closed” to the possibility of building new Mexico City airport

Upon explaining his plan for tourism, Andrés Manuel López Obrador , presidential candidate of the coalition “Together We'll Make History,” confirmed he isn't "closed" to the possibility of building the New Mexico City International Airport (NAIM) , which is why after he wins the election, he will organize technical committees to review and the matter with President Enrique Peña Nieto.

At Chapultepec Castle, before the business leaders gathered at the 16th edition of the National Tourism Forum , Obrador assured them they would reach an understanding and that the airport project could be granted under concession.

“We're not closed in any way; it's all about finding what's best for Mexico and talking with the entrepreneurs. When Carlos Slim said it was a great business, I said: 'Then why doesn't he build it with his own money and why isn't it granted under concession, I'd have no problem with that',” stated Obrador.

However, he clarified his plan of building two runways at military base Santa Lucía would reduce costs from MXN 250 billion – what building the NAIM in the Texcoco Lake would cost – to MXN$ 70 billion, and that the project would finish by 2020.

Public investment is worth MXN$ 600 billion, according to the candidate, and he refuses to allocate half of it into a single project when development is needed across the entire country.

Moreover, he claimed that once he wins the election, he will go to Los Pinos to talk with President Enrique Peña Nieto to organize the committees and analyze the project.

Carlos Slim defends Mexico City airport project

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