The Size Of Puerto Vallarta Airport: How Big Is It?

Puerto Vallarta Airport, officially named Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport, is located in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The airport is situated 7.5 kilometres from the city of Puerto Vallarta and 10 miles from Nuevo Vallarta in the state of Nayarit. It has a runway that is 3,100 metres long and 45 metres wide, with a variety of connecting taxiways. The airport features two terminal buildings, with the main terminal serving commercial aviation and the second terminal operated by Corporate Air Services Company Aerotron. In 2022, construction began on a new Terminal 2, which is expected to cover more than 68,000 square metres and significantly expand the airport's capacity.

Runway and taxiway specifications

Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, commonly known as Puerto Vallarta Airport, features a single runway, 04/22, which measures 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) in length and has an asphalt surface. The airport is situated at an elevation of 7 metres (23 ft) above mean sea level.

The runway at Puerto Vallarta Airport is serviced by a commercial aviation apron, which provides twelve aircraft parking positions adjacent to the terminal and eight remote parking positions. The general aviation apron, on the other hand, offers stands for fixed-wing aircraft and heliports for private aviation.

In addition to the runway and aprons, the airport also has a taxiway, which connects the runway to the terminal and parking areas. The taxiway allows aircraft to manoeuvre safely and efficiently between the different areas of the airport.

The airport's Air Force Station No. 5 is located north of Runway 04/22 and features an aviation platform spanning 5,400 square metres (58,000 sq ft), a hangar, and other facilities designed to accommodate Air Force personnel.

Puerto Vallarta Airport is a major international gateway, serving as an entry point to the Mexican tourist destinations of Riviera Nayarit and the Jalisco coast. The airport offers flights to and from Mexico, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other destinations across North America, Central America, and Europe.

Passenger terminal facilities

The Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, also known as the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (IATA: PVR, ICAO: MMPR), is located in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The airport is a notable gateway to the Mexican tourist destinations of Riviera Nayarit and the Jalisco coast, offering flights to and from Mexico, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The Puerto Vallarta International Airport features a two-story passenger terminal building. The ground floor serves as the main entrance, encompassing a check-in area, and the arrivals section, which includes customs and immigration facilities, as well as baggage claim services. Additionally, travellers can avail themselves of car rental services, taxi stands, snack bars, and souvenir shops. The upper terminal floor is dedicated to departures and features a security checkpoint. The departures area is divided into two sections, with Concourse A catering to domestic flights and Concourse B to international flights.

Concourse A (Gates 1-5A) provides waiting areas with shops, food stands, and a VIP lounge. It has five gates, with gates 1-3 on the top floor equipped with jet bridges, and gates 4 and 5 on the ground floor allowing passengers to board directly from the apron. Airlines operating from this concourse include Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, TAR, and Magni.

Concourse B, situated in a satellite building connected to the main terminal by a walkway, caters to international flights, primarily from the United States and Canada. It offers seating areas, food stands, restaurants, a VIP lounge, and duty-free shopping. This concourse has 15 gates (gates 6-20B) spread across two floors, with the gates on the top floor featuring jet bridges. All international airlines operating from Puerto Vallarta Airport utilise Concourse B.

In 2022, construction commenced on a new Terminal 2, which is projected to cover more than 68,000 square meters (730,000 square feet). This expansion will increase the number of remote boarding gates and boarding bridges, significantly enhancing the airport's capacity to handle passenger traffic.

Military presence

The Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, also known as Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), is located in the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. It is situated within the Puerto Vallarta Urban area, just one kilometre north of Marina Vallarta, at an elevation of seven metres (23 feet) above mean sea level. The airport features a single runway, designated as 04/22, which measures 3,100 metres (10,200 feet) in length and has an asphalt surface.

The Puerto Vallarta Airport houses facilities for the Mexican Army. While the exact details of the military presence at the airport are not publicly available, it is known that the airport supports various tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities. The airport is also a base for the airline Volaris.

As one of the fastest-growing airports in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta Airport has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. In 2021, it was ranked as the fifth-busiest airport in Mexico for international passenger traffic and the seventh-busiest in terms of overall passenger numbers and aircraft operations. The airport is well-connected to North America's major airport hubs, with scheduled flights to and from several cities in the United States and Canada.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal A for domestic flights within Mexico and Terminal B for international flights. It offers a range of amenities for travellers, including a VIP lounge, shops, restaurants, bars, a post office, a bank, a currency exchange, and car rental services. The airport is named after President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.

Construction of Terminal 2

The Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, also known as the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, is located in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The airport is situated within the Puerto Vallarta urban area, just one kilometre north of Marina Vallarta, and is about seven metres above mean sea level. It is a bustling airport, ranked as the fifth-busiest airport in Mexico for international passenger traffic and the seventh-busiest in overall passenger numbers and aircraft operations.

In 2022, the construction of a new Terminal 2 officially commenced. This expansion project is designed to enhance the airport's capacity and improve the overall travel experience for the growing number of passengers it serves. Terminal 2 is projected to cover an area of more than 68,000 square metres, significantly increasing the airport's footprint. One of the key features of this new terminal is the expansion of remote boarding gates from 9 to 16, and the addition of new boarding bridges, increasing from 11 to 19. This will help streamline the boarding process and reduce congestion during peak travel times.

The construction of Terminal 2 also includes improvements to parking facilities, providing more efficient and convenient parking options for travellers. Additionally, a new bus terminal is being established, offering an alternative transportation method for those arriving or departing from the airport. The terminal is designed to handle 4.5 million passengers annually and aspires to be the first airport in Latin America to achieve NET Zero certification.

The vicinity of the passenger terminal is also being developed to include various facilities, such as civil aviation hangars, courier and logistics companies, and cargo services. Furthermore, a dedicated general aviation terminal will support a range of activities, including tourism, flight training, executive aviation, and general aviation. This terminal will cater to diverse aviation needs and enhance the airport's functionality.

With the construction of Terminal 2, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport is poised to become even more efficient and capable of accommodating the increasing number of travellers visiting the region. The expansion project underscores the airport's commitment to providing a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for its passengers.

Transportation to and from the airport

The Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, also known as the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), is located in the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The airport is situated 7.5 kilometres from the city of Puerto Vallarta and 10 miles from Nuevo Vallarta in the state of Nayarit.

By bus

The cheapest way to get to and from the airport is by bus. The bus from Aeropuerto to Plaza las Glorias costs $1-3 and takes 11 minutes. Buses depart every 15 minutes. To find the local bus stop, exit the airport and walk left until you see the pedestrian walkway over the road. For destinations south of the airport, such as Centro, Hotel Zone, and Marina, you can catch the bus below the pedestrian walkway. For destinations north of the airport, such as Sayulita, Pta Mita, and the main bus station, cross the pedestrian walkway and use the bus stop on the other side. Google Maps can help you find the bus routes in Puerto Vallarta, but it's best to choose a bus with an accurate location label or ask the driver.

By taxi

To find a local taxi, exit the airport, turn left, and walk towards the pedestrian walkway over the road. Cross the road using the walkway, and you will see a line of yellow taxis waiting. Local taxis are generally cheaper than airport taxis but do not have a fixed price, so it is wise to agree on a price before getting in. For the hotel zone, fares are around 150-200 pesos ($10 USD), and for Centro and Zona Romantica, expect to pay closer to 250 pesos.

The official airport taxis are white and can be found just outside the airport exit. These taxis are more expensive, with fares to Centro costing around $30-50 USD, and higher for further destinations.

By shuttle

The fastest way to get to and from the airport is by shuttle, which takes 7 minutes and costs $50-$80.

By private transfer

If you prefer private transportation, there are local companies such as Superior Tours that offer private transfers to and from the airport. These services can be booked in advance, and they will pick you up from the arrivals area. The cost depends on the number of passengers and the distance to your destination.

By Uber

To get an Uber from the airport, go to the same location as where the yellow taxis are waiting, as Ubers cannot enter the airport.

Frequently asked questions