Yucatan Airport Eyes Expansion as Tourism and Medical Travel Take Off
Chichen Itza Airport eyes growth as a tourism and private aviation hub. It aims to boost operations, especially in medical tourism and cargo, and anticipates scheduled "Aerus" flights by 2025. Pilot training is also key.
The international airport serving the iconic Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá is setting its sights on significant expansion, aiming to become a pivotal hub for both tourism and private aviation in the eastern Yucatán Peninsula. Operated by Servicios Aéreos Ciclo, the Aeropuerto Internacional de Chichén Itzá is currently a modest operation but harbors ambitious growth plans, according to its director, José Miguel García Vales.
Speaking to local media, García Vales outlined the airport’s current steady performance. “We are operating every day, with tour flights coming from Cancún, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen, mainly with tourists who wish to visit Chichén Itzá,” he noted, highlighting the existing reliance on day-trippers seeking to explore the famed archaeological site. The airport currently handles an average of 2,000 passengers annually, alongside a consistent flow of private aviation and tour-related operations.
However, the airport’s ambitions stretch beyond its current role in facilitating access to the ancient wonders. García Vales pointed to a notable uptick in private flights linked to the burgeoning medical tourism sector in the region. “The airport has registered an increase in the arrival of private flights linked to medical tourism, with patients coming from Florida and Texas seeking treatments in Valladolid,” he revealed. This development underscores the growing appeal of Yucatán as a destination for healthcare services, attracting international patients and providing a valuable niche for the airport.
Beyond passenger traffic, the Chichén Itzá airport also supports cargo operations, with freight aircraft utilizing the terminal for overnight stays. This indicates a foundational infrastructure capable of handling more than just leisure travel, hinting at potential for further development in logistics and trade.
A key priority for the airport is a substantial increase in operational volume across various segments. “One of the main objectives is to increase the number of operations, both in passenger tourism and in cargo tourism, and in other niches of the aeronautical market,” García Vales stated, emphasizing a multi-pronged approach to growth. This ambition suggests a strategic vision that encompasses not only leisure and medical travel but also potential expansion into other aviation-related services.
While the airport currently lacks formal commercial routes, there is promising news on the horizon for scheduled air travel. García Vales announced that the airline "Aerus" is considering launching a route between Cozumel and Chichén Itzá, potentially commencing operations by mid-2025 or in the third quarter of the year. This would mark a significant step towards integrating the airport into the broader regional air travel network, offering more convenient options for tourists and locals alike.
Furthermore, the airport is establishing itself as a significant center for pilot training. Currently, three aviation schools operate within the terminal, leveraging the airport’s facilities and airspace for flight instruction. This not only contributes to the local economy but also positions the airport as a key player in the development of aviation professionals in the region.
The overarching mission for the Aeropuerto Internacional de Chichén Itzá is clear: to significantly scale up its operations in both passenger and cargo tourism. This ambition reflects the growing economic importance of the Yucatán Peninsula, driven by its rich cultural heritage and increasingly diverse economic activities.
As the region continues to attract international attention for both leisure and specialized services like medical tourism, the expansion of its air infrastructure will be crucial in supporting and facilitating this growth. The potential arrival of scheduled commercial flights and the established presence of pilot training programs further solidify the airport’s role as a developing aviation hub in southeastern Mexico.
