Cancun Airport: Size, Scale, And Travel Tips

Cancún International Airport is Mexico's second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. The airport has been expanding since its construction in the 1970s, and now has five terminals, with Terminal 4 opening in 2017. It is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of the tourist complex. In 2021, the airport was ranked 10th busiest in the world in terms of international passengers, with more than 13 million international travellers passing through.

Terminals

Cancún International Airport is Mexico's second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. It is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, serving as the primary gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula. The airport offers flights to over 100 cities across the Americas and Europe and is managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR).

The airport initially opened in 1974, with Terminal 2 added in 2014, and Terminal 3 expanded in 2016, introducing six gates and additional commercial areas. Terminal 3's expansion aimed to increase annual capacity from 6 million to 10 million passengers. Terminal 4 was inaugurated in October 2017 to accommodate the growing demand, and an on-site hotel was also planned. As of 2022, the airport has five terminals, making it the second-largest airport in Mexico.

Each terminal at Cancún International Airport features extensive ground transportation facilities with numbered boarding platforms and nearby snack stands. Large short- and long-term parking facilities are available at all terminals. Various companies offer transportation to and from hotels, and online pre-booking is often available. The primary long-distance bus carrier in southeastern Mexico, ADO, serves Cancún and provides connections to nearby destinations such as Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Mérida.

In addition to the four commercial terminals, there is also a terminal called FBO (Fixed Base Operations) that handles all private arrival and departure flights. Cancún Airport is easily accessible from major cities worldwide, including over 40 cities in the United States and 20+ cities in Europe. The airport operates more than 500 flights per day and provides a range of services and amenities, including duty-free shopping, famous restaurants, and friendly service.

Passenger numbers

Cancún International Airport is Mexico's second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. It is also one of the busiest in the Caribbean, with an average of up to 800,000 passengers per month in the high season. The airport has five terminals and two runways and is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It serves as the primary gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula, offering flights to over 100 cities across the Americas and Europe.

In 2016, Cancún Airport handled 21,415,795 passengers, a 9.28% increase compared to 2015. The airport's rapid expansion continued with Terminal 2 in 2014 and a significant 76,000-square-metre expansion of Terminal 3 in 2016, introducing six gates and additional commercial areas. This expansion aimed to accommodate the growing annual capacity, raising it from 6 million to 10 million. In 2021, Cancún International Airport saw more than 13.2 million international travellers pass through its gates, ranking 10th in the world for international passenger traffic. That year, the airport handled approximately 32.75 million passengers, with a slight decrease to 30.6 million in 2024, of which 20.1 million were international passengers.

The airport's growth is driven by its strategic location near pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and archaeological sites, making Cancún a world-class tourist hub. It is well-connected, with dozens of non-stop flights to the United States alone, and passengers can fly directly from multiple airports across Canada, Europe, and South America. The Mexican Caribbean remains the primary tourist hotspot in Mexico and is a popular destination for sun-seeking North Americans.

To accommodate the increasing passenger numbers, Terminal 4 was inaugurated in October 2017, and an on-site hotel was planned to open around the same time. Cancún Airport has continued to expand, adding new services and facilities to cater to the growing number of travellers. It offers efficient arrival and departure processes, ground transportation facilities, and various amenities, including shops, duty-free areas, and restaurants.

Airport size

Cancún International Airport (CUN) is Mexico's second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. It is also one of the busiest in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, ranking 10th globally in 2021. The airport is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, less than 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) southwest of the tourist complex. It serves as the primary gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula.

The airport has been expanding over the years to accommodate growing annual capacity. It currently has five terminals, with Terminal 4 being the most recent addition, inaugurated in October 2017. Terminal 1 is used by some low-cost and charter domestic airlines, while Terminal 2 is utilised by all scheduled domestic airlines and some international flights. Terminal 3, which opened in 2007, primarily handles international operations from North America and Europe. The airport also has a terminal called FBO (Fixed Base Operations), which handles all private arrival and departure flights.

Cancún Airport offers flights to over 100 cities across the Americas and Europe. It is a hub for Viva and a focus city for Volaris, Magnicharters, Aeromexico, Interjet, VivaAerobus, and more. The airport has two parallel operative runways that can be used simultaneously and various ground transportation options, including official airport taxis, local taxis, and a well-developed bus network.

In terms of passenger numbers, Cancún Airport has seen significant growth. In 2021, it welcomed over 13.2 million international travellers, and in 2022, this number increased to more than 13 million passengers to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. In 2023, the airport handled approximately 32.75 million passengers, with a slight decrease to 30.6 million in 2024, of which 20.1 million were international.

Location

Cancún International Airport (CUN) is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is less than 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) southwest of the tourist complex, at an elevation of 6 metres (20 feet) above sea level. Cancún Airport is Mexico's second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. It is also the busiest point of entry by air to the country and the 10th busiest airport in the world in terms of international passengers. The airport is located right outside the city of Cancún Hotel Zone at kilometre 22 of the Cancún-Chetumal highway.

Cancún International Airport is one of the best-connected airports in Mexico, with dozens of non-stop flights to the United States alone. It is also easily accessible from most major cities worldwide, including more than 40 cities in the US and 20+ cities in Europe. The airport offers flights to over 100 cities across the Americas and Europe. It is the primary gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula.

The airport has five terminals, making it the second-largest airport in Mexico. Terminal 1 is used by some low-cost and charter domestic airlines, while Terminal 2 is used by all scheduled domestic airlines and some international flights. Terminal 3, inaugurated in 2007, primarily handles international operations from North America and Europe. Terminal 4, inaugurated in October 2017, was built to accommodate the growing annual capacity, increasing it from 6 million to 10 million passengers. There is also a terminal called FBO (Fixed Base Operations), which handles all private arrival and departure flights.

The airport's location is strategic, close to pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and archaeological sites. It is the primary mode of transportation to and from the airport. The primary long-distance bus carrier in southeastern Mexico, ADO, serves various destinations, including Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Mérida.

History

Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN, ICAO: MMUN) is Mexico’s second busiest airport and the largest in the country and Latin America for international passengers. It is located in the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The airport serves as the primary gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula, offering flights to over 100 cities across the Americas and Europe.

Cancún's initial airport was established in 1942 as a strategic move to support the region's primary industry at the time: the chewing gum industry. This early airport operated on a rudimentary runway, featuring a control tower constructed from wood and reeds, which remained in operation until 1973. To commemorate its history, a replica stands near the city's entrance, close to its original location. During the war years of the 1940s, an airbase was also established by the US army close to Cancun's southerly coastline and in the Alfredo V Bonfil area.

In the early 1970s, Cancún emerged as a major tourist destination following a deliberate effort by the Mexican government, in collaboration with the National Tourism Development Fund (FONATUR). In 1969, Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz commanded the National Bank to create a National Plan of Tourism, which aimed to create more jobs for Mexicans and build auto-sufficient cities, with tourism as the primary industry. The Cancún Project was officially approved in 1969 and began in January 1970. Recognizing Cancún's strategic location near pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and archaeological sites, the comprehensive plan aimed to transform Cancún from a sparsely inhabited area into a world-class tourist hub.

Substantial investments in infrastructure were made, including the construction of the new Cancún International Airport, executed by Henro y Asociados in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure. The airport was officially opened in 1974, with its inaugural commercial flight occurring on May 12, 1975, drawing swift attention from international tourists. Cancún Airport has now become the busiest point of entry by air to Mexico, with Terminal 4 inaugurated in October 2017.

Frequently asked questions