Morelia, Mexico: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Morelia, Mexico, is served by the General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM). The airport is located 14.3 miles (approximately 25km) from the city and is the largest in the state of Michoacán. It offers both domestic and international flights, connecting Central Mexico to the United States. The airport began operations in 1984 and has since expanded, with various facilities and amenities for passengers.

Morelia Airport's official name

Morelia, Mexico, has one airport, located 25km northeast of the city. The airport is named after former Governor of Michoacán, Francisco José Múgica, and its official name is Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco Mujica (MLM). The airport is also known as Morelia International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Morelia) and General Francisco Mujica International Airport.

The airport is located in Álvaro Obregón, Michoacán, and serves the Metropolitan Area of Morelia, providing domestic flights within Mexico and international travel to destinations in the United States. It is the largest airport in the state of Michoacán.

Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco Mujica began operations in 1984, initially offering only one daily flight to Mexico City. Over the years, it has been served by various airlines, including Aero California, Aero Sudpacífico, Aeromar, Aviacsa, Avolar, Líneas Aéreas Azteca, and United, among others. In 2019, the airport underwent expansion to enhance its capabilities, and Volaris established a crew base to support its growing number of flight routes.

The airport's passenger terminal is a single-story building that accommodates both domestic and international flights. It features a departure concourse, a VIP lounge, check-in and security zones, baggage claim, car rental services, taxi stands, and retail stores. The commercial aviation apron covers an area of 40,284 square meters and includes nine stands for receiving narrow-body aircraft. The airport is located at an elevation of 1,839 meters above mean sea level and has a single asphalt runway.

Location

Morelia, Mexico, does indeed have an airport. The airport is located 25km northeast of Morelia and is officially named Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco Mujica, or General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport (MLM). The airport is situated at an elevation of 1,839 meters (6,033 feet) above mean sea level. It is approximately 32 kilometers from the center of Morelia and is the largest airport in the state of Michoacán.

The airport began its operations in 1984, initially offering only one daily flight to Mexico City. Over the years, it has been served by various airlines, and in 2019, it underwent expansion to accommodate its growing number of flight routes. The airport is named after former Governor of Michoacán, Francisco José Múgica, and it is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

The passenger terminal at the airport is a single-story building that handles both domestic and international flights. It includes a departure concourse, a VIP lounge, check-in and security areas, baggage claim, an arrivals hall, car rental services, taxi stands, and retail stores. Nearby facilities include a hotel, parking areas, and civil aviation hangars.

Morelia Airport is the main airport for the city and the surrounding areas. It serves as a gateway for international travel, connecting Central Mexico to destinations in the United States. It also provides domestic flights within Mexico and supports various tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities. In 2022, the airport surpassed one million passengers for the first time, with traffic increasing to 1,304,600 passengers in 2024.

Airlines that serve the airport

Morelia, Mexico, is served by the Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco Mujica, also known as the Morelia International Airport or General Francisco Mujica Intl. The airport is located about 14-15 miles from the city centre of Morelia and is the largest airport in the state of Michoacán.

Several airlines operate flights to and from Morelia International Airport (MLM). These include Aeromexico, American Airlines, VivaAerobus, Volaris, and United Airlines. The airport also has direct flights from 13 cities around the world, including Mexico City, San Jose, and Tijuana.

In addition to these, the airport has also been served by various other airlines over the years, including Aero California, Aero Sudpacífico, Aeromar, Aviacsa, Avolar, Líneas Aéreas Azteca, Continental (now United), Mexicana, TAESA, and TAR.

Volaris established a crew base at the airport in 2019 to support its growing number of flight routes connecting Morelia to destinations within Mexico and the United States.

The cheapest time to fly to Morelia is typically during the off-season, which falls between April and June. Among these months, April tends to offer the lowest fares. However, flight prices can vary depending on the departure airport and the airline chosen.

Facilities and services

Morelia International Airport, officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco J. Mujica, has a range of facilities and services for passengers. The airport is located about 19 miles from Morelia's city centre, and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the city centre by car or private transfer.

The airport has several car rental offices, including Budget, Firefly, Hertz, and Sixt, which operate during specific hours, with some open 24 hours. There is also an outdoor parking lot opposite the terminal with a pre-payment system through ATMs inside the main building. The airport provides ramps, adapted restrooms, telephones, and reserved parking spaces for disabled passengers. Special assistance or wheelchairs are available upon request to the airline or travel agency in advance.

Morelia Airport offers a selection of places to eat and drink, with options available around the clock. Several ATMs and Wi-Fi access are also available throughout the airport. The airport provides domestic flights within Mexico and international connections to destinations in the United States, serving as a gateway for international travel to Central Mexico.

In terms of aviation services, the airport has a single runway designated as 05/23, with a length of 3,408 metres. The commercial aviation apron covers 40,284 square metres and includes nine stands for receiving narrow-body aircraft. Morelia International Airport supports various tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

History

Morelia is served by the General Francisco Mujica International Airport, located in Álvaro Obregón, Michoacán, Mexico. The airport is situated 25 kilometres northeast of Morelia and is the largest airport in the state of Michoacán.

The history of the airport dates back to the late 1970s when the old Morelia Airport was in operation. On September 9, 1978, a tragic accident occurred when a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft flying from Mexico City to the old Morelia Airport crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 18 fatalities.

The current General Francisco Mujica International Airport (IATA: MLM, ICAO: MMMM) began its operations in 1984, initially offering a single daily flight to Mexico City using a DC-9 aircraft. Over the years, the airport has been served by various airlines, including Aero California, Aero Sudpacífico, Aeromar, Aviacsa, Avolar, Líneas Aéreas Azteca, Continental (now United), Mexicana, TAESA, and TAR.

In 2019, the airport underwent expansion to enhance its capabilities. Volaris established a crew base at the airport that year, expanding its flight routes to destinations within Mexico and the United States. The expansion also included improvements to the infrastructure, such as the addition of a new runway and enhancements to the passenger terminal.

The airport is named after former Governor of Michoacán Francisco José Múgica and is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico. It serves as a gateway for domestic and international travel, connecting Central Mexico to multiple destinations in the United States. In 2022, the airport reached a significant milestone, surpassing one million passengers for the first time. The passenger traffic continued to grow, reaching 1.3 million passengers in 2024, ranking the airport as the ninth-busiest in Mexico for international travel.

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