Article - FAMEX Trade Show Santa Lucia Air Force Base Mexico - 2017

FAMEX Trade Show Santa Lucia Air Force Base Mexico

FAMEX is organized by the Mexican Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) and take's place on the Santa Lucia Air Force Base, which is 20 miles North East of Mexico City.

The Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX),is one of the largest industry shows in Latin America, spanning all aspects of civil, space and military aviation. The show is held bi-annually during mid to late April and is spread over a 4 day period which include 3 trade days and a public open day/air show on the Saturday. Dates for the 2nd edition of FAMEX were 26-29th April 2017.

Mexico is currently the 6th largest supplier to the USA Aerospace Industry and the Mexican Aviation sector is currently the 14th largest in the world. In 2017 the Mexican aeronautical industry grew by over 18% and exported more than 6.7 billion US Dollars.

For the 2017 FAMEX, more than 550 aeronautical and space companies attended with over 220,000 visitors over the 4 day period.

The military static park was made up of all elements of the Mexican Air Force, Navy and Policia Federal, the only foreign military attendee was a A-400M of the Spanish Air Force.

The air display had no faster jet participation but included C-27s and C-295s transports along with Mi-17s, MD-530s, B-212s and UH-60s. Formation flypasts were flown by PC-7 and PC-9 training aircraft.

During the trade days and public open day many transports and VIP aircraft were seen arriving then departing, as the largest Air Force Base is it was certainly an around the clock operation at Santa Lucia.

This was a great trade event to attend for the first time with plenty of military and civil hardware on show but with the International attendee's being almost zero then if FAMEX wishes to grow then more foreign air arms will need to attend, we look forward to see what happens in April 2019.

Author Mark Forest

Photography E Mason, D ilott & M Forest