MZT Aerospace’s goal is to become an aerospace park where aircrafts are built and there is access to a runway.
Mexico is among the ten countries with the highest investments in the aerospace industry, however it does not manufacture fully finished aircrafts.
“Mexico manufactures several aircraft parts, from the most basic to the most sophisticated, like the turbines. Bombardier manufactures parts of the fuselage but does not manufacture aircrafts as such because there are no industrial parks where companies can have manufacturing plants and access to a private runway where finished aircrafts can depart flying. This is precisely what we are working on at the moment, the infrastructure to manufacture aircrafts that can leave the facilities flying,” says Mr. Lino Suárez Guzmán, MZT Aerospace Park co-founder and president of the Mazatlán Chapter for Sinaloa Aerospace Cluster.
According to the Secretariat of Economy the aerospace industry represents an incredible opportunity for Mexico to participate in the global aerospace supply chain, considering we already supply many aircraft parts. The aerospace industry currently has 336 companies in Mexico spread across 18 states and it generates 48,000 jobs (direct and indirect). Moreover, exports add up over USD10.15 billion and imports for USD8.4 billion, which combined account for 0.7 percent of the manufacturing GDP. The industry has maintained a steady growth between 10 and 14 percent.
Mr. Suárez Guzman mentions that there are various companies interested in manufacturing aircrafts in Mexico. “French, American and Asian companies are interested in manufacturing aircrafts in Mexico. Examples of these companies are Embraer (no operation in Mexico yet), Bombardier (already has operations in Querétaro), Safran Group Airbus and Boeing. We can offer solutions for any of these groups to build aircrafts. Building a complete aircraft in Mexico would mean a huge success for these companies because their production costs would be significantly more competitive. We can offer highly-skilled labor and an aerospace park with first-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology. We would become the first aerospace park LEED certified by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).”
The construction of the first industrial building at MZT Aerospace Park will start in November. The Spanish company Singular Aircraft will operate there and build Flyox I aircrafts, the first pilotless aircrafts displaying a Mexican flag that will be exported worldwide. “This is the first business model we will have at the aerospace park. We believe other companies similar to Singular Aircraft and their suppliers will come to the park. Our goal is to make 100 Flyox I aircrafts in one year,” declares Mr. Suárez Guzmán.
He also says that the park’s location at sea level is very convenient for aircraft trials because the devices can be tested at full power. Additionally, it is also an advantage in terms of safety as it is much better to test fly an aircraft over the Pacific Ocean than over land.
MZT Aerospace Park seeks to offer suitable spaces for companies dedicated to aircraft maintenance, repair and enhancement. “There is a clear need for more space. Airports are becoming increasingly insufficient because they are expanding their passenger service areas while limiting areas for aircraft maintenance. We identified this opportunity in our park and are working with different groups to develop appropriate spaces for their hangars. We have also developed a 2.8 kilometers runway which is suitable for any aircraft,” explains Mr. Suárez Guzmán.
He emphasizes that the aerospace park has expanded to other sectors, automotive and technology manufacturing for example, and they also host different suppliers for the aerospace industry. “What we do is create a paradise for foreign companies, facilities where they can find state-of-the-art technology. Aerospace is located along the runway but we offer other areas equally serviced for manufacturing. We also have additional space for automotive.”
“Building a complete aircraft in Mexico would mean a huge success for these companies because their production costs would be significantly more competitive. We can offer highly-skilled labor and an aerospace park with first-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology.”
Lino Suárez Guzmán, co-funder of MZT Aerospace Park.
An aerospace park with full transport infrastructure: port, highway, railway and airport.
International companies have shown an interest in MZT Aerospace Park because of its location close to the Port of Mazatlán, which is very convenient because Mazatlán is one of the most active ports in the Mexican Pacific Coast, particularly for vehicles.
“An international automotive CEO came to Mexico to see their operation in Bajío and then visited MZT Aerospace Park. He commented that industries should develop near ports, like it is done in Asia and Europe, so we are on the right track. We have an industrial port with incredible potential for growth: it is efficient, it has good customs officers and the possibility to service ships swiftly. Nearshoring is also a tremendous opportunity to develop this industry even further,” explains the president of the Mazatlán Chapter for Sinaloa Aerospace Cluster.
Mazatlan’s location is strategic: it is the same driving distance to Laredo or Nogales, covering both the East and West Coasts in the US. A container from MZT Aerospace can be across the border in less than 24 hours.
Mr. Lino Suárez Guzmán points out that there is railway infrastructure that connects Mazatlán with Bajío and also with the US border, directly to Nogales, Sonora, and Chihuahua, so railway connectivity is also there.
In terms of airport infrastructure, the hangars or industrial halls for aerospace are located along the three kilometers runway.
The aerospace park is divided into two phases: phase one contemplates 68 hectares where the experimental flight runway is located; this is the runway Flyox I will use for take offs, landings and certifications; its official launch is planned for April 2024. Phase two will spread over 203 hectares. Once Phase one and Phase two are finalized, there are plans for a third phase which will mirror phases one and two on the opposite side of the runway and will spread over 300 hectares.
