Aeropuerto Internacional de Querétaro

Aeropuerto Internacional de Querétaro, also known as AIQ, is an international airport located in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. It provides passenger air transport services for both domestic and international flights. The airport also handles cargo operations, supporting the movement of goods through its freight facilities. In addition to scheduled commercial flights, it accommodates private and charter aviation. Its facilities include passenger terminals, aircraft parking aprons, and ground support services.

Situated in the Bajío region, the airport serves as a key transportation hub for the state of Querétaro and surrounding areas. It connects the region to major Mexican cities and various international destinations. The airport's infrastructure is designed to accommodate a range of aircraft sizes, from regional jets to larger wide‑body planes. Its location near industrial and aerospace zones contributes to its role in supporting business travel. While specific passenger volumes are not disclosed here, the airport is recognized as an important gateway for regional commerce and tourism.

AIQ holds international airport status, which includes customs and immigration facilities for processing international passengers and cargo. The airport is noted for its proximity to Querétaro’s growing aerospace industry cluster, facilitating travel for aerospace professionals and suppliers. It offers services such as aircraft maintenance, fueling, and ground handling that cater to both commercial and private operators. The airport’s operational focus emphasizes safety, efficiency, and continuity of service. These attributes position it as a strategic asset for regional development.

The airport operates under a concession model typical for Mexican airports, whereby a private entity manages the facility under a government‑granted concession. This arrangement delegates day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, and commercial development to the concessionaire while the federal aviation authority retains regulatory oversight. Details of the specific concessionaire are not provided in the source material. The concession framework aims to balance public interest with efficient airport management. Such structures are common across Mexico’s airport network.

In October 2023, the Querétaro Intercontinental Airport experienced a cyberattack that originated from an employee downloading malware‑laden files. The incident prompted the airport to engage cybersecurity experts to contain and remediate the threat. Although the LockBit ransomware gang claimed responsibility and threatened to leak stolen data, airport officials stated that operational systems remained functional and that no safety‑critical systems were compromised. Response teams successfully contained the attack, and the airport maintained continuity of its aviation services. Authorities were notified in accordance with incident‑response procedures, and the airport downplayed the significance of any exfiltrated information, characterizing it as publicly available. The episode highlighted the importance of cybersecurity hygiene within critical infrastructure.