American Airlines: CUN Tech Ops and IGS New Build

Location: Cancun International Airport, Mexico

Scope: New construction of two state-of-the-art facilities on airport property

Team:

• Architect: Álvaro Licona

• Project Management: SÁAW

• Construction: SOJIAL

• Photography: Santiago Heyser

Project Overview

SÁAW successfully delivered two new facilities at Cancun International Airport to support American Airlines’ Technical Operations (Tech Ops) team and multiple IGS operations teams. These purpose-built facilities were designed and constructed to align with American Airlines’ stringent operational and brand standards while meeting the unique requirements of an international airport environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Construction Management: Oversaw all phases of construction, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

• Coordination with Stakeholders: Served as the primary liaison between American Airlines Corporate Real Estate, the general contractor (GC), on-site project managers (PMs), airport authorities, and local government agencies.

• On-Site PM Expertise: Provided on-the-ground project management to ensure seamless execution of day-to-day operations and quick resolution of challenges. Our team effectively bridged the gap between corporate decision-makers and on-site teams, facilitating clear communication and alignment of goals.

Challenges Addressed

• Navigated complex regulatory environments and approvals with airport authorities and local agencies.

• Coordinated with multiple stakeholders, balancing the needs of American Airlines’ Corporate Real Estate team with the practical demands of on-site construction teams.

• Managed logistics and operations within the busy environment of an international airport while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.

Results

• Delivered two fully functional, high-performing facilities tailored to the needs of American Airlines’ Tech Ops and IGS teams.

• Improved operational efficiency by providing centralized, purpose-built spaces for technical and ground support teams.

• Strengthened the collaboration between corporate and local teams, ensuring alignment and successful project outcomes.

This project highlights SÁAW’s ability to execute complex, multi-stakeholder projects in high-pressure environments. It showcases our expertise in bridging the gap between corporate standards and local implementation.