Los Cabos International Airport: Gateway To Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, is served by two airports: Cabo San Lucas International Airport and Los Cabos International Airport. Cabo San Lucas International Airport is a small airfield located about 8 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas, while Los Cabos International Airport is the larger, main gateway to the region, located about 10 kilometres north of the nearby city of San Jose del Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas is served by two airports

The Los Cabos International Airport, also known as the San Jose del Cabo International Airport, is located about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of San Jose del Cabo and 32 kilometres (20 miles) north of Cabo San Lucas. It is the larger of the two airports serving the Los Cabos region and is the main gateway to the popular tourist destination. The airport features a single runway and two terminals that accommodate both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 manages arrival and departure facilities for domestic flights, while Terminal 2 handles international flights with customs and immigration facilities. The airport offers a range of amenities, including restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops, as well as currency exchange services and ATMs. It also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal building. Los Cabos International Airport is managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico and serves as a hub for major airlines such as Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines.

The Cabo San Lucas International Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller airfield located about 8 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas and 26 kilometres (16 miles) south of San Jose del Cabo. As a secondary airport to the Los Cabos region, it primarily focuses on regional flights within western Mexico, as well as charter and commercial flights to the United States. The airport has a single terminal building that serves both domestic and international arrivals and departures. It is equipped with modern facilities, including a VIP lounge, snack bars, souvenir shops, and four gates providing direct access to the apron. Cabo San Lucas International Airport is a major contributor to the economy of the Baja California region and is also an important hub for cargo transportation.

Both airports play a crucial role in serving the Los Cabos region, catering to millions of tourists and connecting them to various destinations within Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The larger airport is Los Cabos International Airport

Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination in Mexico, is served by two airports: Cabo San Lucas International Airport and Los Cabos International Airport. The larger airport is Los Cabos International Airport, which is situated 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, at an elevation of 114 metres (374 feet) above sea level. It is one of the busiest airports in Mexico and Latin America, ranking sixth in Mexico and 24th in Latin America by passenger numbers. Los Cabos International Airport handled 7,488,200 passengers in 2024, a slight decrease from 2022, with 61% of them travelling internationally.

Los Cabos International Airport features a single runway, 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) long, with an asphalt surface. The airport has the capacity to accommodate both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. It operates two terminals, with Terminal 1 dedicated to domestic flights and Terminal 2 handling international flights. Terminal 1 spans an area of 16,580 square metres (178,500 square feet) and features a unique roof design over the departures concourse, with peaked white structures. Terminal 2 is a two-story building, with arrivals managed on the ground floor and departures on the upper floor. The departure area in Terminal 2 includes restaurants, food stands, duty-free shops, and 19 gates, with nine of them equipped with jet bridges.

Los Cabos International Airport serves as the main gateway to the Los Cabos region, attracting millions of tourists annually, particularly from the United States and Canada. It is a hub for several major airlines, including Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. The airport offers connections to 30 US cities and 11 Canadian cities, as well as 18 cities within Mexico. It also supports general and executive aviation, flight training, and various cargo transportation operations.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing popularity of the Los Cabos beach resort among tourists. Terminal 2 was added to facilitate the increase in international flights, and Terminal 1 was renovated between 2008 and 2011. In 2011, the airport briefly offered non-stop flights to Shanghai, China. However, the airport's infrastructure continues to face challenges due to the rapid growth in holiday resorts and regional population, resulting in capacity constraints during peak hours.

The smaller airport is Cabo San Lucas International Airport

Cabo San Lucas is served by two airports: the larger Los Cabos International Airport and the smaller Cabo San Lucas International Airport. In this response, we will focus on the smaller airport, Cabo San Lucas International Airport (IATA: CSL, ICAO: MMSL).

Location and Operations

Cabo San Lucas International Airport is located in Cabo San Lucas, in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is situated about 8 kilometres (5 miles) north of the city of Cabo San Lucas and 42 kilometres (26 miles) southwest of San Jose del Cabo. The airport primarily serves the Los Cabos region, a popular tourist destination on the Baja California Peninsula. As a smaller airport, it focuses on regional flights within western Mexico, as well as charter and commercial flights to the United States. It is the main hub for the regional airline Calafia Airlines.

Facilities and Services

Cabo San Lucas International Airport features a single-story passenger terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal includes all the essential facilities for a comfortable travel experience. The departures area has a check-in section, a security checkpoint, and a departure concourse with a VIP lounge, snack bars, souvenir shops, and four gates providing direct access to the apron. Passengers can board their planes conveniently by walking through ramps and walkways. The arrivals section includes customs and immigration facilities, a baggage claim area, and an arrivals hall with car rental services, taxi stands, and additional snack bars and souvenir shops.

Economic Impact and Development

The airport is a significant contributor to the economy of the Baja California region, generating revenue from tourism and related industries. It also serves as an important hub for cargo transportation, with various cargo airlines operating at the airport. Cabo San Lucas International Airport is the only privately-owned international airport in Mexico, handling 45,178 passengers in 2021 and 40,714 passengers in 2022. The airport has undergone enhancements, including the installation of new navigation aids, improved air traffic control equipment, and the addition of a control tower and improved lighting. These developments ensure safe and efficient operations as the airport continues to grow and serve the Los Cabos region.

Airlines serving San Jose del Cabo International Airport

Cabo San Lucas, a popular tourist destination located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, is served by two airports: the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) and the Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSL).

The Los Cabos International Airport, also known as the San Jose del Cabo International Airport, is the larger and primary airport for commercial flights serving the Los Cabos region. It is located about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) north of San Jose del Cabo and 23 miles from Cabo San Lucas. The airport features two terminals that accommodate both domestic and international flights. Terminal 1 is a single-story building with arrival and departure facilities, while Terminal 2 is a two-story structure with arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the upper floor. Los Cabos International Airport is managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) and serves as a hub for several major airlines, including:

• Aeroméxico
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Sunwing
• Air Canada
• West Jet
• Swoop
• Flair Airlines
• Volaris
• Viva Aerobus

On the other hand, the Cabo San Lucas International Airport is a smaller airfield located about 8 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas and 42 kilometres southwest of San Jose del Cabo. This airport primarily serves private jets and shuttles but also handles both domestic and international flights. It has a single terminal building that is modern and well-equipped, offering amenities such as restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, currency exchange facilities, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi access.

Both airports play a significant role in the region's economy, with Cabo San Lucas International Airport being a major contributor to the tourism and cargo transportation industries.

Amenities at Cabo San Lucas International Airport

Cabo San Lucas International Airport is a modern airport serving the popular tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. The airport is situated about 8 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas and 42 kilometres southwest of the city of San Jose del Cabo.

The airport has a single terminal building that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal is modern and well-equipped, featuring a range of amenities and services to ensure a comfortable experience for passengers.

Transportation

Cabo San Lucas International Airport offers a range of transportation options for passengers, including taxis, rental cars, and shuttle buses. The airport also has a shuttle service that provides transfers to and from popular hotels and resorts in the area, ensuring a seamless travel experience for its passengers.

Dining and Shopping

The airport features restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. The dining options offer a variety of cuisines, including authentic Mexican dishes, to cater to different tastes and preferences.

Currency Exchange and Banking

Currency exchange facilities and ATMs are available at the airport, providing convenience for passengers who need to exchange money or access their bank accounts while travelling.

Internet Access

Free Wi-Fi access is provided throughout the terminal building, allowing passengers to stay connected, work remotely, or access information during their travel.

Additional Services

Cabo San Lucas International Airport also offers additional services such as a VIP lounge for passengers who require more exclusive amenities and facilities. The airport is also an important hub for cargo transportation, contributing significantly to the economy of the Baja California region through tourism and cargo transportation.

Frequently asked questions