Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The renovation of Cozumel International Airport is 70% complete, with the project on track to expand passenger capacity by a third, according to airport manager Pablo Esteban Arjona Ortiz.
Arjona Ortiz said the project has moved past the rough construction phase and is now focused on hydraulic, sanitary, and electrical installations. Walls and glass are expected to be installed by the end of June. “Passengers will soon see a wider, cleaner platform with eight aircraft parking positions,” he said.
The initial investment of 278 million Mexican pesos has grown to 324 million pesos, but Arjona Ortiz stressed that the increase has not caused delays or unexpected costs. Favorable weather has helped keep the project on schedule despite the challenges of building on an island.
The renovation aims to prepare the airport to handle up to one million passengers by 2033, with the ability to accommodate eight simultaneous flights and large aircraft types D and E. A master plan includes reviews in 2027 to decide whether to maintain the 2033 target or extend it to 2036 or beyond. Long-term aspirations include building a second floor, contact gates, and capacity for up to two million passengers. “The island tends to grow,” Arjona Ortiz said.
Regarding the runways, a 2024 investment has ensured their operation for several years using materials designed to withstand weather and constant air traffic. No immediate runway projects are planned; only preventive maintenance will be carried out to extend their lifespan.
When asked if the airport is on track to meet first-world standards, Arjona Ortiz replied: “Let this year finish, tour the terminal, and then you ask me that question and you answer it yourself. You’ll see that we are indeed in a first-world airport.”
