Rohit Laila is a seasoned veteran in the logistics and supply chain sector, possessing a wealth of experience that bridges the gap between traditional infrastructure and cutting-edge technological innovation. As the industry faces a transformative period marked by shifting trade lanes and the rise of digital commerce, Laila has positioned himself at the forefront of operational excellence within the Mexican market. His leadership at Términal Logistics has been defined by a commitment to international standards, navigating the complexities of bonded warehousing and airport connectivity with a focus on resilience. In this conversation, we explore the evolving landscape of air cargo, the strategic necessity of regional expansion into South America, and how domestic logistics hubs are adapting to the modern demands of nearshoring and e-commerce.
Being a local company in a market dominated by global logistics giants requires a specific balance between agility and rigor. Where exactly does Términal Logistics find its strongest competitive advantage when standing toe-to-toe with these international players?
Our strongest competitive advantage stems from the fact that we are a 100% Mexican company that has intentionally chosen to operate under the most stringent international standards. Our core business is meticulously built around three strategic pillars: airport infrastructure, bonded warehouse operations, and bonded transportation, which allows us to provide a comprehensive suite of services that few local firms can match. Currently, our largest operation revolves around an extensive bonded facility network, with a significant presence in Queretaro, Mexico City, and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport, alongside a rapidly growing footprint in Monterrey and our newest venture in Peru. From our very first day, we recognized that to survive, we had to work with global airlines that demand obsessive levels of quality, security, and accountability. This pressure pushed us to adopt a discipline that transcends local expectations, particularly in air cargo where strict security protocols are vital for the integrity of the aircraft, the crew, and the passengers. By mirroring the standards of an international giant while maintaining our local expertise, we have proven that we can serve global clients with the same level of sophistication they would expect anywhere else in the world.
The move into South America, specifically through the partnership with Frío Aéreo in Peru, marks a significant chapter in your regional growth. What were the specific market conditions that made this the right time to expand beyond Mexico’s borders?
Our regional strategy was born from the realization that we needed to look beyond Mexico to sustain our growth trajectory, especially since the bonded warehouse business has incredibly high entry barriers and limited physical opportunities at major airports. Expansion in this sector isn’t as simple as picking a spot on a map; it requires identifying markets where our specific operational experience can solve existing problems. Peru presented a compelling opportunity because its cargo dynamics are strikingly similar to those we manage in Mexico, and Frío Aéreo was the perfect ally due to their dominance in the perishables export segment. While they have mastered the art of sending goods out, they were looking for a partner to revitalize their import operations, which is exactly where we shine, given that roughly 80% of the cargo we handle in Mexico is import-based. This alliance is a major milestone for us as it forces us to adopt a truly regional vision and proves that our operational model is portable across borders. If we want to remain a leader by late 2026 and beyond, we cannot afford to be dependent on a single market, and this Peruvian venture is the first of many steps toward that broader horizon.
It has been over a year since the MCH alliance was established to streamline cargo connectivity. How has this collaboration specifically changed the way you manage the flow of goods between Mexico City, AIFA, and other regional hubs?
The MCH alliance has been a game-changer for our ability to synchronize cargo operations across the most critical airports in the country, including Cancun, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. We spent the last year and a half refining this model, and despite some initial regulatory hurdles and uncertainty regarding customs charges earlier this year, the results have been consistently strong. We have seen volumes grow significantly and have successfully met the targets we set at the beginning of the partnership, which has allowed us to offer a more standardized and reliable service to our airline clients. The most tangible change for our customers is the level of integrated service we now provide; they no longer see fragmented operations but a unified network with standardized reporting and real-time cargo tracking. This increased visibility and efficiency have allowed us to deepen our relationships with the major airlines operating in Mexico, as we are now one of the primary providers moving cargo between these vital airport nodes. By creating this seamless connectivity, we have effectively transformed Términal Logistics into one of the largest and most reliable operators of bonded air cargo services in the region.
Logistics professionals often talk about “uncertainty” as a challenge, but you seem to view it as a permanent operational factor. What specific changes have you implemented to ensure your team is anticipating risks rather than just reacting to the next crisis?
In the logistics sector, we have been operating in a state of constant flux for years now, and we have learned that those who wait for perfect conditions are often left behind. The pandemic was the ultimate stress test, showing us that air cargo could grow far beyond our wildest projections even when traditional consumption patterns were completely upended. We now treat regulatory shifts, geopolitical tensions, and USMCA reviews not as roadblocks, but as variables that must be baked into our daily risk analysis. Our approach has shifted from reactive firefighting to a proactive adjustment of processes, ensuring that we comply with new rules without losing operational momentum. We recognize that cargo simply cannot stop; goods will continue to arrive, and they must be handled and cleared regardless of the political climate. By incorporating uncertainty into our planning—much like we do with security or weather disruptions—we have built a resilient framework that allows us to keep moving forward while others are paralyzed by the unknown.
There has been an enormous amount of talk regarding nearshoring over the last few years, but some feel the actual results have been slower than expected. How has the conversation around nearshoring evolved in your view, especially in light of recent global tensions?
The conversation around nearshoring has finally moved into a more realistic phase, shedding some of the overhyped projections that dominated the headlines early on. While the massive wave of investment that many predicted hasn’t materialized at the breakneck speed some expected, the fundamental logic behind the trend remains as valid as ever. Companies are still looking to move closer to their primary markets to reduce their exposure to global volatility, but they are now making these decisions with a much more nuanced understanding of the risks involved. They are weighing everything from fuel costs and maritime disruptions to potential tariffs and political instability before breaking ground on new facilities. We are seeing that nearshoring is less about simple distance and more about gaining control over the supply chain to prevent the kind of fragility we saw during the 2020-2022 period. It is a long-term structural shift, and even if some companies are delaying their final decisions, the value of proximity becomes undeniable every time a new crisis affects global transportation costs.
With trade rules and tariffs constantly in the news, are you seeing your clients become more cautious with their imports, or are they leaning more heavily into flexible schemes like bonded warehouses?
Interestingly, we are not seeing a slowdown in demand or a drop in import volumes; in fact, the opposite is happening as cargo movement continues to climb. This is largely driven by a permanent shift in consumer behavior, where e-commerce and digital platforms have become the primary engines of logistics activity globally. In Mexico, this trend has matured incredibly fast, with large online platforms moving massive quantities of goods to areas that didn’t even have a logistics footprint a decade ago. While there is certainly regulatory uncertainty, the need to keep goods flowing to meet consumer demand is so strong that it overrides most cautious impulses. Our bonded warehouse operations provide the exact kind of flexibility these companies need, allowing them to adapt to evolving trade rules without having to halt their imports. Because consumption patterns have been structurally transformed, we expect that the demand for sophisticated, bonded logistics solutions will only continue to intensify as we move through the second half of 2026.
Infrastructure is often the silent partner in logistics success. Do you believe Mexico’s current airport and road networks are keeping pace with the rapid growth in cargo demand you’ve described?
The reality is that Mexico’s infrastructure growth is somewhat uneven, and we are seeing some significant bottlenecks that require creative logistics workarounds. While some airports have the capacity to expand, our road network is struggling to keep up, with major arteries like Highway 57 between Mexico City and Queretaro becoming increasingly saturated. It is a common frustration to see a 200km trip take anywhere from two to seven hours depending on accidents or traffic, which creates a level of unpredictability that modern supply chains cannot tolerate. This infrastructure gap has actually fueled a surge in domestic air cargo, as companies look for more reliable ways to move goods across the country. In Queretaro, for example, we now have a robust nightly flight network using Boeing 737s to connect with the Pacific coast, Cancun, and the north, which simply wasn’t the case eight or ten years ago. If our highways were more efficient, some of these air solutions might not be necessary, but as it stands, domestic air cargo is becoming a vital alternative for maintaining the speed of the supply chain.
Looking ahead at the remainder of the year, what are the primary goals for Términal Logistics to ensure you finish 2026 in a position of strength?
Our main priority for the rest of 2026 is to push the boundaries of our operational efficiency, particularly at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA). We are currently planning several infrastructure adjustments designed to make our handling and clearing processes faster and more competitive for the courier and parcel companies we serve. We want to take the successful operational blueprints we’ve developed in Queretaro and replicate them at AIFA to ensure a modernized experience for our clients. Simultaneously, we are focused on expanding our new transportation operations in Monterrey and strengthening our overall route network to better connect the country’s industrial hubs. However, the most anticipated milestone for the second half of 2026 is the official launch and stabilization of our project in Peru. This step is not just about expanding our footprint; it’s about proving that a Mexican logistics firm can lead the way in international management and customs-bonded operations across the entire region.
What is your forecast for the air cargo industry in Latin America over the next two years?
I expect to see a period of intense consolidation where technology and specialized infrastructure become the primary differentiators between success and obsolescence. We are moving toward a model where “just-in-case” inventory management will replace “just-in-time” for many critical sectors, meaning that bonded warehouses will play a more central role in regional trade than ever before. You will likely see domestic air cargo routes continue to expand as a bypass for aging road infrastructure, and the integration of the Latin American market will deepen as companies in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia look to each other for logistics synergy. The winners will be those who invest heavily in digital tracking and high-security bonded transportation, as the demand for transparency and speed will only increase. Ultimately, the region is poised to become a much more significant player in global trade, provided we continue to modernize our terminals and maintain the international standards that global carriers now view as a non-negotiable requirement.
