Mexico Plans Five New Airports to Boost Tourism and Regional Economies

Mexico City — The Mexican government has confirmed plans to build five new airports in key tourism and industrial hubs, part of a long-term strategy to expand national air connectivity and stimulate economic development. The announcement, made by Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) Director Carlos Manuel Merino Campos, highlights the country’s growing focus on diversifying its aviation network beyond major cities.

San Miguel de Allende and Ensenada: Projects Moving Forward

Two of the planned airports already have confirmed locations: San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato and Ensenada in Baja California. San Miguel de Allende, known globally as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a top destination for foreign visitors, currently lacks a nearby commercial airport. State authorities have formally requested the project to accommodate rising tourist demand and enhance regional accessibility.

In Ensenada, authorities and private investors are collaborating on plans to develop an airport that will serve both tourism and industrial needs. Located along the Pacific coast, Ensenada is a key port city for Baja California’s wine country and cruise ship industry, as well as a growing hub for logistics and trade.

Three Additional Airports Under Review

ASA is also evaluating three further projects:

• Costa Alegre, Jalisco: Proposed to serve high-end tourism zones south of Puerto Vallarta.
• Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco: Planned as a logistics and cargo hub supporting the Bajío industrial corridor, home to Mexico’s automotive and manufacturing sectors.
• Quintana Roo: Two potential locations are under consideration—one near Isla Mujeres on the mainland, and another site in the northern part of the state. These would ease congestion at Cancún International Airport and support tourism on the Riviera Maya and northern Caribbean coast.

Project Timelines and Challenges

Merino Campos cautioned that the development of airports is a long-term endeavor. Each project requires extensive feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, land acquisition, and technical planning. Depending on location and land availability, airport sites must span 500 to 1,000 hectares to accommodate runways, terminals, and future expansion. Even in cases where preliminary studies have begun, such as in San Miguel de Allende and Ensenada, actual construction may still be several years away.

“Building an airport isn’t something that happens overnight,” Merino Campos said. “It’s a multi-year process from planning to construction.”

Public and Private Collaboration

The new airports reflect Mexico’s blended infrastructure strategy, combining federal leadership through ASA, support from state governments, and investment from private sector partners. The projects are seen as critical for both boosting tourism in popular destinations and supporting logistics in industrial regions underserved by current air infrastructure.

The five new airports are designed to strengthen Mexico’s air transport network with both passenger and cargo functions. Tourism-focused airports in Guanajuato, Baja California, Jalisco, and Quintana Roo are expected to drive local economic growth, increasing visitor arrivals and investment in hospitality sectors. Meanwhile, the proposed cargo hub in Lagos de Moreno will serve central Mexico’s manufacturing industries, reducing transport costs and improving supply chain efficiency in the Bajío corridor.

Once operational, the new airports could help alleviate congestion at existing terminals in Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, while channeling travelers directly to regional destinations.

Aviation Growth in Mexico

According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Mexico ranks among the top 15 countries globally for passenger air traffic, driven largely by tourism. However, much of this traffic is concentrated at a handful of airports. By expanding regional infrastructure, Mexico hopes to distribute visitor traffic more evenly, reduce overcrowding, and foster more inclusive economic development.

ASA, which currently manages 19 airports across Mexico, aims to play a leading role in this expansion phase, capitalizing on the country’s ongoing tourism boom and industrial growth.

As feasibility studies progress, Mexico’s new airports represent a significant investment in the country’s future as both a top global tourist destination and a key player in international trade and logistics.