### Priority to Complete Ojos Negros Airport, Proposes Codeen
**By Julieta Aragón**
**September 22, 2024**
The Economic Development Council of Ensenada (Codeen) has urged the inclusion of the completion of the Ojos Negros Airport and the connecting highway to Ensenada in both state and national agendas. Héctor Contreras Luengas, Codeen’s president, emphasized the critical importance of this infrastructure for the region.
Contreras Luengas highlighted that Ensenada lacks an international airport. The existing military airport, which handles small aircraft in the south of the city, is insufficient. The ongoing construction of the Ojos Negros Airport in the north could significantly enhance Ensenada’s industrial and tourist appeal.
“There’s a stark potential for development in the Ojos Negros Airport compared to other public investments,” stated Contreras Luengas. “The scenic and free highways connecting Ensenada to Tijuana, and subsequently to the northern border, are becoming increasingly congested.”
The necessity of the Ojos Negros Airport and its connecting highway is underscored by the consulting report “Nearshoring in Ensenada,” authored by Manuel J. Molano of “QP Información de Mercados.” Enhancing connectivity to the north would mitigate urban congestion in Tijuana, address security issues, reduce road wear primarily caused by freight transport, and alleviate commercial bottlenecks at the border.
To further boost Ensenada’s connectivity, the potential for cabotage within the region—under discussion for over 20 years—should be revisited at the federal level. Maritime transport remains the most utilized mode for international trade, handling 90% of global commercial transportation. About 85% of Mexico’s exports are transported by sea, thanks to the nation’s well-developed port infrastructure, which includes 15 main ports: 8 in the Pacific and 7 in the Gulf of Mexico.
Contreras Luengas argued that Ensenada should prioritize the economic potential of its air and land transportation over maritime and railway options. He also pointed out that Punta Colonet port could ease container congestion in the city and should be prioritized by both state and federal authorities.
As new local authorities prepare to take office, Contreras Luengas suggested seizing the opportunity to make land use changes more transparent. He advocated for the local government to act as a friendly mediator to resolve land-use conflicts and prevent excessive competition for urban space.
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### Secondary Article: Progress and Challenges of Mexico’s Connectivity Projects
**By TJGringo.com Editorial Team**
As the call to expedite the completion of the Ojos Negros Airport in Ensenada gains momentum, other infrastructure projects across Mexico face their own sets of progress and challenges.
1. **Tulum Airport**: The construction of a new international airport in Tulum is advancing, aimed at alleviating the overload at Cancun International Airport and boosting tourism in the Riviera Maya. However, environmental concerns have arisen, as the area is known for its rich ecosystems and archaeological sites.
2. **Maya Train Project**: The ambitious Maya Train aims to connect key cities and tourist attractions in the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite significant advancements, the project has faced opposition from indigenous communities and environmental activists worried about its impact on local habitats.
3. **Felipe Ángeles International Airport**: Opened in 2022, this airport was designed to decongest Mexico City International Airport. It has contributed positively to the capital’s air traffic management but continues to grapple with connectivity issues, as transport links to the city center are still under development.
4. **Santa Lucía Railway Cargo Hub**: This project seeks to improve freight transport efficiency in central Mexico. While it promises to reduce logistical hurdles and bolster economic activities, it remains in the planning stages, with concerns about land acquisition and displacement of local communities.
These projects highlight Mexico’s efforts to enhance its infrastructural framework to support economic growth, tourism, and trade. However, balancing development with environmental and social considerations continues to be a delicate task.