Riviera Maya Hotel Chief Calls Tulum Airport ‘Critical’ as Airlines Exit

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Tulum International Airport is going through a critical moment marked by airline departures and a lack of clarity about its operations, said Toni Chaves Palomo, president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on sargassum, Chaves Palomo said the terminal got off to a strong start thanks to a series of advantages and incentives granted to boost it. He called on Mexico’s federal government and the authorities in charge of the airport to review and reinstate that model.

“I think we should shift our thinking a bit, because it is an important airport, an airport that started very well with some advantages that were offered at the time to boost it, and I think they should look at bringing back that type of advantage to implement flights and routes,” he said.

Airlines Have Not Explained Their Plans

The hotel leader referred to the controversy sparked by the announcement that Volaris would stop operating in Tulum, which came after Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama said the airline would return.

“Officially, the airlines have not said what is happening. I was at this meeting yesterday and obviously the news is not what was published, that Volaris is not going to continue. I hope what the governor is saying is true, because she doesn’t usually say things that don’t happen,” he said.

Chaves Palomo warned that the departure of two airlines sends a negative message about the destination, and stressed that the airport’s management must take a hard look at its cost structure.

“What happens is that the Tulum airport has to analyze its operations, its prices and its charges, because it started very well, with many advantages. I think we should go back to that,” he said.