Cancun, Quintana Roo — Despite a sharp decline in connectivity and passenger numbers at the Tulum International Airport “Felipe Carrillo Puerto” in 2026, Quintana Roo’s tourism secretary expressed confidence that lost routes can be recovered by the end of the year.
Bernardo Cueto, head of the state Tourism Department (Sedetur), attributed the downturn to a global economic situation affecting the airline industry, not a problem unique to Quintana Roo. He noted that similar declines are occurring in other tourist destinations across Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States, where airlines are prioritizing the preservation of existing routes over opening new markets.
“Airlines have told us that the current economic climate does not allow them to increase routes; right now they are focused on maintaining the ones they already operate,” Cueto said. “However, we are convinced that once the global economic outlook improves, Tulum will see a rebound in connectivity.”
The state government is working with federal authorities and the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica Airport, Railway and Auxiliary Services Group (GAFSACOMM), which operates the airport, to revive incentives for airlines and facilitate the return of domestic and international routes.
The comments come after the airport reported a more than 30% drop in international traffic and significant reductions in routes, frequencies, and operations in May. Between January and April, the terminal handled just 366,000 passengers, with international traffic down 34% and domestic traffic down 25%. Of the 12 international routes it operated in 2024, only connections to Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami remain, following the departure of airlines such as Avianca, Copa Airlines, JetBlue, and Volaris Costa Rica.
Cueto rejected the idea of a crisis, emphasizing that Tulum remains the second most connected airport in Quintana Roo, behind Cancun, and ranks among the country’s top airports for international flights.
“We must not be catastrophic. There has been a reduction compared to the great start the airport had, but it remains a strategic infrastructure for the state, and we are convinced it will recover routes,” he said.
In addition to strengthening connections with U.S. cities and domestic destinations, the goal is to restore flights to Canada, South America, and Europe, as well as to reconnect with Chetumal. Cueto noted that airlines remain interested in operating from Tulum but face pressure from rising operating costs, particularly higher jet fuel prices, which have limited expansion plans.
The Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) and airport authorities maintain constant communication with airlines to strengthen existing routes and create conditions to recover connectivity in the coming months.
