Cable car between La Aurora and Antigua takes another step: 7 analyses will define project viability

A project to construct a cable car system linking Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport with the historic city of Antigua Guatemala is moving forward. The initiative has entered a new analysis phase, crucial for determining its feasibility. While the proposal has generated excitement for its potential to cut travel times and improve tourist access, officials emphasize that the project is still under evaluation and has not yet received final approval.

Representatives from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) explained that the project will undergo a pre-feasibility study. This comprehensive analysis will examine key aspects to ascertain if the system is technically, environmentally, and financially viable. The study will include demand analysis, alternative assessments, technical engineering evaluations, preliminary environmental and social impact studies, and economic and financial assessments, alongside considerations for climate change and gender.

The BCIE indicated that the second phase of the pre-feasibility study is expected to last approximately nine months once a consulting firm is contracted. During this period, technical information will be gathered, and various scenarios will be evaluated to determine if a viable mass transit alternative exists between the capital and Antigua. The exact route, number of stations, and precise locations of stops are still undefined and will be part of these upcoming analyses, though options like connecting the airport, Cerro Alux, and Antigua are being considered.

This new phase follows a conceptualization stage completed in 2025, which involved diagnosing potential technologies and routes. The results of the current pre-feasibility studies will guide decisions on whether the project can proceed to more detailed studies and, eventually, to an execution phase. The ultimate goal is to identify the most suitable routes and technologies to create a more efficient connection between the international gateway and the popular colonial city.