Mexico's Airports: Location And Travel Tips

where is the airport in mexico

Mexico has a vast aviation network, with 1,527 registered airfields and 80 officially recognised airports, ranking 4th globally after the US, Brazil, and Australia. The busiest airport in Mexico is Mexico City International Airport, also known as Benito Juárez International Airport, which served 48,415,693 passengers in 2023. Other major airports in Mexico include Cancun International Airport, Guadalajara Airport, and Monterrey Airport.

Characteristics Values
Number of Registered Airfields 1,527
Number of Officially Recognized Airports 80
Number of Airports with Scheduled Commercial Flights 64
Number of Airports Handling Domestic and International Flights 37
Number of Airports Serving Only Domestic Destinations 27
Number of Air Force Bases 20
Number of Air Force Stations 10
Number of Naval Air Bases 13
Number of Naval Air Stations 5
Busiest Airport Mexico City International Airport
Second Busiest Airport Cancun International Airport
Third Busiest Airport Guadalajara Airport
Fourth Busiest Airport Monterrey Airport
Airport with the Largest Terminal in America Mexico City International Airport
Airport with the Highest Air Traffic in Latin America Mexico City International Airport
Airports Offering Direct Flights to Europe Benito Juarez Airport, Cancun Airport
Airports with Direct Flights to Europe Guadalajara Airport, Tijuana International Airport, Del Bajio Airport, Bachigualato Federal International Airport

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Mexico City International Airport

The airport has a rich history, with the original site known as Llanos de Balbuena being utilised for aeronautical activities as early as 1910. Alberto Braniff became the first person to fly an airplane in Mexico and Latin America from this site. In 1963, the airport's name was changed from "Aeropuerto Central" to "Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México". The airport has undergone multiple expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new check-in areas, commercial spaces, and a new departures concourse.

The airport offers a range of services and amenities for passengers, including duty-free shopping, international dining options, luggage storage facilities, VIP lounges, rental car agencies, and free Wi-Fi. It also provides essential travel information such as up-to-the-minute arrivals and departures, airport transportation options, car rentals, airport lounges, and parking details.

In recent years, there have been efforts to decongest the airport, including the relocation of cargo aircraft to Felipe Ángeles Airport. The Mexican government has also invested in renovations and expansions to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency, with a completion goal set for mid-2026.

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Benito Juárez International Airport

The airport is surrounded by built-up areas, and its runways contribute to overflying problems and noise pollution over Mexico City during landings with a northeast wind. To address congestion issues, the government has implemented a regional transportation plan that includes expanding service at the Santa Lucia (NLU) airport and improving access to the Toluca airport (TLC).

The airport's address is Av. Capitán Carlos León S/N, Peñón de los Baños, Venustiano Carranza, 15620 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México. It is accessible by subway, with the "Terminal Area" station leaving passengers at Terminal 1. The subway is the easiest and cheapest way to get to and from the airport, costing only 2 Mexican pesos.

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Guadalajara Airport

Guadalajara International Airport, also known as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Airport, is located 16-18 kilometres from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. It is one of the country's busiest airports, ranking third in passenger traffic, aircraft operations, and cargo volume. It is also the third busiest airport in America in terms of cargo flights. The airport offers flights across Mexico, the Americas, and Europe, serving as a hub for Volaris, Viva, and Aeroméxico.

The airport was inaugurated on March 1, 1951, with two asphalt runways, an apron, and a small passenger terminal. Since then, it has undergone significant expansions and renovations, including the enlargement of the original runway and the reconstruction of the passenger building. In 1994, expansion and adaptation projects funded by Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) led to improvements in the passenger terminal and departures concourse. The airport also joined the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) consortium in 1995 as part of Mexico's airport privatisation program.

In 2020, GAP announced a 14 billion-peso investment in Guadalajara Airport, including the construction of a new runway and the development of a hotel, an office complex, and a solar power plant. These expansion plans faced setbacks due to resident conflicts and protests over land expropriation issues. Despite these challenges, the airport continues to play a pivotal role in Mexico's aviation network, providing essential connections across the region.

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Tijuana International Airport

The airport offers various facilities and services for travellers, including dining options such as restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as duty-free shops and retail stores. There are VIP lounges in both the Main Terminal and the CBX terminal, providing a comfortable and exclusive environment for premium passengers. Taxis, ridesharing services, and car rental options are also readily available at the airport.

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Del Bajio Airport

Del Bajío Airport, officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional de Guanajuato (Guanajuato International Airport), is located in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. It is situated at an elevation of 1,815 meters (5,955 feet) above sea level, between the cities of León and Silao. The airport serves as the main gateway for international travel for the Greater León Metropolitan Area and the State of Guanajuato, which is home to around 6 million people.

The airport has a single runway, 13/31, with a length of 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) and an asphalt surface. It can handle up to 26 flights per hour. The commercial aviation apron provides nine stands for narrow-body aircraft, while the general aviation apron offers stands for fixed-wing aircraft and heliports for private aviation. Additionally, the airport has a cargo area called "Puerto Interior," which connects it to a freight rail and road transportation hub.

Del Bajío Airport offers both domestic flights within Mexico and international connections to various destinations in the United States. It serves as a focus city for Volaris and supports flight training, cargo operations, logistics, and general aviation activities. The airport is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) and was inaugurated in 1991 by President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, replacing the former San Carlos International Airport in León.

While the airport lacks direct public transportation, it provides short-term and long-term parking options. Car rental services from companies like Hertz, Budget, Veico, and City Car Rental are available on-site. Intercity bus services, such as Primera Plus and Unebus, connect the airport to various destinations, including León, San Miguel de Allende, Silao, and Guanajuato.

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Frequently asked questions

Mexico City International Airport is the busiest airport in Mexico, serving 48,415,693 passengers in 2023.

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport is the main airport of Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city.

The busiest airport in Mexico, Mexico City International Airport, has two terminals.

The General Mariano Escobedo International Airport has a Cross Border Express (CBX) terminal, which is a bridge connecting Mexico and the US.

There are 80 officially recognised airports in Mexico, 64 of which have scheduled commercial flights. Of these, 37 handle both domestic and international flights.

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