Cancún International Airport

History

Early operations

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. This early airport operated on a rudimentary runway, featuring a control tower constructed from wood and reeds that remained in operation until 1973. To commemorate its history, a replica stands near the city's entrance, close to its original location.

In the early 1970s, Cancun emerged as a major tourist destination following a deliberate effort by the Mexican government, in collaboration with the National Tourism Development Fund (). Recognizing its strategic location near pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and archaeological sites, the comprehensive plan aimed to transform Cancun from a sparsely inhabited area into a major international tourist destination. Substantial investments in infrastructure were made, including the construction of the new Cancun International Airport, designed and built by Henro y Asociados in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure. The airport's inaugural commercial flight occurred on May 12, 1975, prompting an immediate increase in international traffic.

Throughout its history, Cancun Airport has served as a base for multiple carriers over the years. It served as a hub for Mexicana, Interjet, and Aladia in their operational years, facilitating both domestic and international connections. The defunct charter airline Aerocancun also provided charter flights to the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. MAYAir, established in 1994 initially as a charter airline, expanded its routes from Cancun to various destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula.

Privatization and expansion

In 1995, Mexico embarked on a significant airport privatization initiative through the 'Ley de Aeropuertos' (Airports Law) introduced by the Department of Infrastructure. This marked a pivotal moment for Cancun Airport, integrating it into the Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR).

Until the early 2000s, Cancun Airport operated with two terminals. A major transformation began in 2005 when ASUR invested US$150 million in constructing Terminal 3, officially inaugurated in 2007. Key additions, including a new runway and then Latin America's tallest control tower at 97 meters, were unveiled in October 2009, effectively doubling the airport's passenger handling capacity. On November 27, 2013, Cancun Airport achieved another milestone, becoming the first in Mexico to welcome the Airbus A380, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Air France and the 15th anniversary of ASUR.

The expansion continued with an expansion of Terminal 2 in 2014 and a significant 76000 m2 expansion of Terminal 3 in 2016, introducing six gates and additional commercial areas. This expansion raised annual passenger capacity from 6 million to 10 million. In response to the overcrowding and surging demand, Terminal 4 was inaugurated in October 2017.

Despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexican authorities kept borders open for tourism, making Cancún one of the few international destinations to remain accessible. In 2023, a Tren Maya station was inaugurated adjacent to the airport as part of a federal rail project. In parallel, ASUR initiated the second phase of Terminal 4’s expansion, which includes new passenger areas, apron extensions, and a new supplementary 24 m tall control tower. ASUR expects the expanded terminal to be fully operational by 2026. In early 2025, ASUR also began construction on a comprehensive revival of Terminal 1, which had remained closed since the mid-2010s.

Facilities

The airport is located in the Cancún urban area, less than 10 km southwest of the city’s main Hotel Zone, at an elevation of 6 m above sea level. It can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, and features two parallel operational runways that can be used simultaneously: Runway 12R/30L is 3500 m long, while Runway 12L/30R spans 2800 m.

Cancún Airport comprises four passenger terminals—more than any other airport in Mexico—and an FBO terminal. Additional facilities include long- and short-term parking, on-site hotels, a variety of restaurants, rental car services, and installations for the Mexican Air Navigation Services ().

An inter-terminal shuttle service runs between terminals, with departures every 10 minutes.

Terminals

Terminal 1 (temporarily closed)

Exclusively dedicated to charter and private flights, Terminal 1 features 7 gates numbered 1 to 7, 3 helicopter stands, and a VIP lounge. Temporarily closed for reconstruction after Hurricane Wilma, the terminal resumed operations between 2013 and 2018. The terminal is currently undergoing a comprehensive remodeling and expansion, with reopening planned for 2026.

Terminal 2

As the oldest terminal, Terminal 2 handles arrivals and departures for domestic and international flights. With 22 gates—A1 through A11 (in a satellite building) and B12 through B22 (at the main building)—it serves most domestic airlines, along with most international flights to Central and South America and select long-haul flights to Europe. The check-in area houses a bank and food outlets, while the boarding area features several restaurants and shops, along with immigration/customs services. Two lounges, the MERA Business Lounge and The Lounge by Global Lounge Network, cater to both domestic and international travelers.

The primary tenants at the terminal are Viva, which operates a hub at this location; Volaris and Magnicharters, which operate focus city services along with Volaris Costa Rica and Volaris El Salvador. Other airlines serving Terminal 2 include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Alaska Airlines, Arajet, Avianca, Avianca El Salvador, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, GOL Linhas Aéreas, LATAM Chile, LATAM Perú, LOT Polish Airlines, Neos, Sky Airline Peru, TUI Airways, TUI fly Netherlands, TUI fly Belgium, and Wingo.

Terminal 3

Dedicated exclusively to international flights, Terminal 3 features 21 gates (C4 through C24) and is primarily used by major U.S., Canadian, and European airlines. Facilities include duty-free shops, cafés, restaurants, immigration and customs facilities, and the MERA Business Lounge. The ground transportation facility is located outside the arrivals hall.

Airlines operating from Terminal 3 include Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Caraïbes, American Airlines, Avelo, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberojet, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and World2fly.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 serves both domestic and international flights. Opened in October 2017, it made Cancún Airport the first in Mexico with four terminals. It features 14 gates and a capacity of 9 million passengers per year. It is currently being expanded. The terminal has three lounges: the MERA Business Lounge (domestic), MERA Business Lounge (international), and The Lounge in partnership with Air Transat.

Airlines operating from Terminal 4 include Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Air Transat, Condor, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Flair Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, Porter Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and WestJet.

FBO terminal

The FBO terminal caters to general aviation from Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. It is positioned south of the passenger terminal complex, near the main airport entrance. It offers various services, including ground support, fuel coordination, ground transportation, car rental, catering, and airport lounges. Additionally, the FBO accommodates scheduled flights operated by Aerus and the Belizean airline Tropic Air.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

| Aer Lingus | Seasonal: Dublin | Aerolíneas Argentinas | Buenos Aires–Ezeiza | Aeroméxico | Mexico City, Mexico City–AIFA, Miami Seasonal: Raleigh/Durham | Aerus | Chetumal, Cozumel | Air Canada | Vancouver Seasonal: Edmonton, Halifax, Montréal–Trudeau, Ottawa, Toronto–Pearson, Winnipeg | Air Canada Rouge | Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson Seasonal: Calgary (begins December 11, 2026), Halifax, Ottawa, Québec City | Air Caraïbes | Paris–Orly | Air Europa | Madrid | Air France | Paris–Charles de Gaulle | Air Transat | Montréal–Trudeau, Québec City, Toronto–Pearson Seasonal: Charlottetown (begins February 18, 2026), Fredericton (begins February 18, 2026), Halifax, London (ON), Moncton, Ottawa | Alaska Airlines | Los Angeles (ends May 12, 2026), Seattle/Tacoma Seasonal: Kansas City, Portland (OR), San Francisco | American Airlines | Austin, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York–JFK, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor Seasonal: Boston, Cincinnati, Columbus–Glenn, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis | Arajet | Punta Cana, Santo Domingo–Las Américas |Avianca|Bogotá, Medellín–JMC |Avianca El Salvador|Guatemala City, San Salvador |Breeze Airways|Seasonal: Charleston (SC), New Orleans (begins February 7, 2026), Norfolk, Providence (begins February 14, 2026) |British Airways|London–Gatwick |Condor|Frankfurt |Conviasa|Caracas |Copa Airlines|Panama City–Tocumen |Delta Air Lines|Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma Seasonal: Austin, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham |Discover Airlines|Seasonal: Frankfurt |Edelweiss Air|Zürich |Flair Airlines|Toronto–Pearson Seasonal: Vancouver |Frontier Airlines|Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte (begins March 6, 2026), Chicago–Midway (begins March 7, 2026), Chicago–O'Hare, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham (begins March 7, 2026), St. Louis, Tampa Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston–Intercontinental, Miami |Gol Linhas Aéreas| Seasonal: Brasília |Iberojet|Madrid Seasonal: Barcelona, Lisbon |JetBlue|Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York–JFK, Newark, Orlando, Tampa |KLM|Seasonal: Amsterdam |LATAM Chile|Santiago de Chile |LATAM Perú|Lima |LOT Polish Airlines|Seasonal charter: Katowice, Warsaw–Chopin |Magnicharters|Mexico City, Monterrey |Neos|Milan–Malpensa, Rome–Fiumicino, Verona

|Porter Airlines|Ottawa, Toronto–Pearson Seasonal: Hamilton (ON) |Sky Airline Peru|Lima (ends March 31, 2026) |Southwest Airlines|Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas (begins June 4, 2026), Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, St. Louis Seasonal: Colorado Springs, Columbus–Glenn, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San Antonio |Spirit Airlines|Baltimore, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, New Orleans, Orlando |Sun Country Airlines|Minneapolis/St. Paul Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth, Harlingen, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Tulsa (begins May 21, 2026) |TAP Air Portugal|Seasonal: Lisbon |Tropic Air|Belize City |TUI Airways|Birmingham (UK), London–Gatwick, Manchester Seasonal: Belfast–International, Cardiff, Dublin, Newcastle upon Tyne Stockholm–Arlanda Seasonal charter: Oslo |TUI fly Netherlands|Amsterdam |Turkish Airlines|Istanbul |United Airlines|Chicago–O'Hare, Cleveland, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington–Dulles |Virgin Atlantic|London–Heathrow |Viva|Bogotá, Camagüey, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Culiacán, Guadalajara, Havana, Hermosillo, León/El Bajío, Mexicali, Mexico City, Mexico City–AIFA, Monterrey, Puebla, Puerto Vallarta, Querétaro, Reynosa, Saltillo (begins March 29, 2026), San José del Cabo, Tampico, Tijuana, Toluca/Mexico City, Torreón/Gómez Palacio, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Veracruz, Villahermosa Seasonal: Cincinnati, Columbus–Glenn, Memphis |Volaris|Aguascalientes, Guadalajara, Guatemala City, León/El Bajío, Mexico City, Mexico City–AIFA, Monterrey, Morelia, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San José (CR), San Luis Potosí, Tijuana, Toluca/Mexico City, Tuxtla Gutiérrez |Volaris Costa Rica|San José (CR) |Volaris El Salvador|San Salvador, Guatemala City |WestJet|Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal–Trudeau, Québec City, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver, Winnipeg Seasonal: Bagotville, Fredericton, Halifax, Hamilton (ON), Kelowna, Kitchener/Waterloo, London (ON), Moncton, Ottawa, Regina, St. John's, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Victoria, Windsor |Wingo|Seasonal: Bogotá, Medellín–JMC |World2Fly|Madrid Seasonal: Lisbon

Destination maps

Traffic statistics

Passengers

Busiest routes

;Notes

Ground transportation

The primary mode of transportation to and from the airport is by road. Most travelers pre-arrange ground transport, as local taxis cannot pick up passengers directly at the airport. Official airport taxis operate at premium rates, and many travelers avoid them in favor of pre-booked shuttles or private services. Large short- and long-term parking facilities are available at all terminals.

Local shuttles

Each terminal includes numbered shuttle platforms and adjacent snack kiosks. These facilities are serviced by various companies offering transportation to and from hotels, with most services offering online booking in advance.

Long-distance bus

ADO buses stop at all terminals and travel directly to the ADO Bus stations in the specified towns without stopping at hotels or along the route. Coaches seat 44 passengers and include air conditioning and onboard screens.

At Terminal 4, ADO bus tickets are available at rates significantly higher than at other terminals—up to five times more as of 2023. Travelers may find lower fares by purchasing online or boarding at other terminals. The bus stop is located past the ground transportation facility.

Train

Cancún Airport railway station is located across Federal Highway 180 from Cancún International Airport. The station features nine platforms. It handles services along both the western route, connecting to destinations such as Chichén Itzá, Mérida, and Campeche, and the southern route, which includes stops at Tulum, Tulum Airport, and Chetumal Airport. Trains are scheduled to operate at least every 2 hours along these routes. The Conexión Intermodal Tren Maya is a shuttle bus system linking the airport’s four terminals to the railway station.

Accidents and incidents

• On December 26, 1980, a British Aerospace 125 operated by Servicios Aereos Regiomontanos (SARSA) descended into trees on climbout and crashed one kilometer from the airport. All three occupants were killed.
• On March 15, 1984, Aerocozumel Flight 261 crashed soon after takeoff. No one died in the crash, but one passenger died of a heart attack while evacuating the swampy crash scene.
• On September 9, 2009, Mexico City-bound Aeroméxico Flight 576 was hijacked after take off. The hijackers were Bolivians who wanted to speak to the President. The plane landed safely in Mexico City, all hostages were released, and the hijackers were arrested.

Accolades

• 2011 – Best Airport in Latin America – Caribbean of the Airport Service Quality Awards by Airports Council International and 2nd Best Airport by Size in the 5 to 15 million passenger category

References

References

1. "Passenger's Traffic". ASUR.
2. (January 12, 2023). "Cancun passes 30 million passengers in 2022; new records for both domestic and international traffic".
3. "Statistics". Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil.
4. (August 2016). "History". Cancun Online Community.
5. (March 2016). "Inaugurated Terminal 3 of Cancún Airport (in Spanish)". Periódico El Economista.
6. (October 2009). "Cancun opens second runway as traffic grows 30% in two years; US routes lead way". anna.aero.
7. (October 2014). "Third Quarter 2014 Earnings Call Transcript". Aeropuertos del Sureste.
8. (June 25, 2025). "Taking the Tren Maya From the Cancún Airport: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing".
9. (January 30, 2024). "Mexico's New Maya Train Has Officially Launched, Connecting Cancún with Other Yucatán Destinations".
10. (October 29, 2024). "Asur to spend 8 billion on Cancun airport terminal expansion project".
11. (March 4, 2025). "ASUR starts terminal expansion projects at Cancun International".
12. (5 October 2017). "theyucatantimes.com – Cancun airport's new 4th terminal will open Oct. 10". The Yucatan Times.
13. "Cancun Airport Terminal 4".
14. (May 2025). "Aer Lingus to launch seasonal Dublin-Cancún service".
15. (August 2024). "Aeromexico Announces New Route Between Cancun and Miami".
16. "Aeromexico Adds Two New U.S. Routes".
17. (March 2024). "Airline company Aerus confirms that it will begin operations in QR".
18. "Vancouver, BC, Canada YVR".
19. (December 2023). "Air Canada unveils summer schedule with new routes".
20. "Montreal, QC, Canada YMQ".
21. "Toronto, ON, Canada YTO".
22. "Montreal, QC, Canada YMQ".
23. "More Global Choices, More Cities, More Sunshine Next Winter: Air Canada Adds Quito, More Europe Year-Round and Resumes Calgary-Mexico Routes".
24. "Montreal, QC, Canada YMQ".
25. "Quebec, QC, Canada YQB".
26. "Toronto, ON, Canada YTO".
27. (May 2025). "Air Transat NW25 Cancun / Punta Cana Network Expansion".
28. (May 2024). "Air Transat announces 2024-2025 winter season offerings".
29. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-us-airline-cancels-flights-180300863.html
30. (July 10, 2024). "Alaska Adds 18 New Routes".
31. (March 2025). "Direct flights from Portland to Cancun".
32. (June 2021). "Alaska Airlines adds a new route to Cancun".
33. (14 June 2023). "CVG lands American Airlines nonstop flight to Cancun".
34. (October 2022). "American Airlines to launch new routes to Cancún".
35. (11 December 2023). "American Airlines Commences Three More Cancun Routes".
36. "Arajet Launches Punta Cana Service From late-Oct 2024".
37. "Breeze Airways To Launch First International Routes In Early 2026".
38. (February 28, 2025). "Delta Adds Two New Routes in Africa and One in Mexico".
39. (June 2023). "CVG lands two new nonstop flights from Delta".
40. Velani, Bhavya. (April 4, 2025). "Delta Air Lines Adds 2 New Destinations and 9 Routes for Winter 2025". Aviation A2Z.
41. (June 2023). "RDU's busiest airline announces nonstop flights to two more destinations".
42. (September 2022). "Eurowings Discover NW22 Intercontinental Network Changes".
43. "Toronto, ON, Canada YTO".
44. (Sep 2023). "Flair Airlines Launches New Routes to Mexico and Jamaica".
45. (Aug 2025). "Frontier Adds 20 Routes".
46. "Frontier Adds 23 New Routes".
47. (May 2024). "Frontier resumes nonstop flights to Cancun and Punta Cana from Tampa International Airport".
48. (August 2023). "Frontier includes Cancun in three new U.S. routes for upcoming winter season".
49. (10 December 2025). "Gol anuncia suspensão temporária de voos para Cancún e Punta Cana".
50. (June 2022). "Iberojet inaugurates flights between Barcelona and Cancún".
51. (May 2024). "Iberojet Wants to Become the Most Visible Brand in Portugal".
52. (October 2022). "KLM brings back seasonal service to Cancun".
53. (November 2024). "LOT Polish Airlines Launches Winter Flights to Cancún from Warsaw and Katowice".
54. . (November 2023). "Milan". *OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited*.
55. "Neos Adds Verona – Cancun Sector in NW24".
56. (December 1, 2025). "✈ Voyage de Ottawa à Cancún".
57. (June 25, 2025). "Porter Airlines Welcomes the Sun With Service to Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica". Business Wire.
58. (October 2025). "One less route! SKY announces closure of the Lima-Cancún route due to the impact of the TUUA: How long will it operate?".
59. (Oct 2025). "Southwest Airlines May/June 2026 Network Additions".
60. (October 2023). "Southwest Airlines Extends Flight Schedule With New International Options And Most-Ever Departures".
61. (October 30, 2024). "Colorado Springs Airport lands first international route".
62. (May 2021). "Southwest's schedule between United States and Mexico".
63. (September 2022). "Sun Country Adds Seasonal DFW Routes This Spring".
64. (June 2022). "First Sun Country nonstop departs Harlingen for Cancun".
65. (May 2024). "Sun Country Airlines to add seasonal service from MKE to two Caribbean destinations".
66. (Jan 2021). "Sun Country Airlines to offer nonstop service from San Antonio to Cancun".
67. (28 October 2025). "Sun Country Airlines Launches New Cancun Nonstops From This U.S. City".
68. (June 2024). "TAP Air Portugal NW24 Cancun Service Changes".
69. "Tui adds 345,000 seats to summer 2025 programme".
70. (3 January 2023). "TUI Airways Outlines TUIfly Nordic Boeing 787 NS23 Operation".
71. (November 7, 2024). "TUI Airways Schedules Belfast – Cancun Service in June/July 2025".
72. (January 21, 2025). "Cardiff Airport shares update on 2025 destinations".
73. (May 2023). "TUI Airways Resumes Dublin – Cancun Service".
74. (April 3, 2024). "Tui reveals brand-new Newcastle flights as part of summer 2025 programme".
75. (Nov 2024). "TUI launches El Cuyo in Mexico – hidden gem with exotic beaches and barefoot life".
76. (Sep 2023). "TUIfly Nordic NW23 Oslo – Cancun Charters".
77. . "November 2023". *OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited*.
78. (8 November 2024). "Virgin Atlantic Resumes Cancun Service From Oct 2025".
79. (November 2025). "Viva's double move in Coahuila: opens Saltillo-AIFA and sets a date for Cancun".
80. (September 2018). "Viva Aerobus announces new direct flights between Cancun and the U.S.".
81. "Viva Aerobus Adds 2 Cancun – US Routes in 1H25".
82. "Calgary, AB, Canada YYC".
83. "Edmonton, AB, Canada YEA".
84. "Montreal, QC, Canada YMQ".
85. (February 11, 2025). "WestJet flights for Sunwing Vacations packages starting May 29".
86. (February 11, 2025). "WestJet flights for Sunwing Vacations packages starting May 29".
87. "Toronto, ON, Canada YTO".
88. "Vancouver, BC, Canada YVR".
89. (Oct 2024). "WestJet Group and the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) outline partnership achievements, showcasing enhanced connectivity and record-breaking strategic growth".
90. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
91. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
92. (May 2024). "WestJet commits to growing presence in Halifax".
93. (July 14, 2025). "WestJet delivers high tides and good vibes with Ontario winter 2025/2026 schedule".
94. (Jul 2024). "WestJet introducing Kelowna-Seattle and doing more flights to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and Phoenix".
95. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
96. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
97. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
98. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
99. (July 2024). "WestJet announces record-level investments across Saskatchewan this winter".
100. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
101. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
102. (Sep 2023). "WestJet to have new cross-border service".
103. "Cheap Flights | Flight Deals | Airline Tickets".
104. (Sep 2021). "Wingo plans to increase its international flights".
105. (November 2024). "World2Fly Portugal NS25 Cancun / Punta Cana Service Changes".
106. (January 2025). "Estadística operacional por origen-destino / Traffic Statistics by City Pairs". Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil.
107. Redacción. (2023-06-13). "Conectarán Aeropuerto Cancún con estación del Tren Maya".
108. "Accident Description for XA-CUZ".
109. (1984-03-15). "Aviation Safety Network". Aviation-safety.net.
110. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/09/world/AP-LT-Mexico-Hijacking.html {{Dead link. (May 2022)
111. [http://www.airportservicequalityawards.com/best-airport-region-latin-america-carribean "ASQ Award for Best Airport in Latin America – Caribbean"] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-02-18 ''Airports Council International''. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-13)
112. [http://www.airportservicequalityawards.com/best-airport-size-5-15-million-passengers "ASQ Award for Best Airport by Size (5-15m)"] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-02-19 ''Airports Council International''. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-13)