Cancún International Airport

Cancún International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancún) (IATA: CUN, ICAO: MMUN) serves as the primary gateway for the Cancún Metropolitan Area in Quintana Roo, the Mexican Caribbean, Riviera Maya, and Yucatán Peninsula. Operating as a hub for Viva Aerobus and a focus city for Volaris and Magnicharters, it facilitates flights to over 100 cities across 30 countries in the Americas and Europe. The airport is managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) and is the easternmost airport in Mexico.
It is the largest airport in Mexico and Latin America in terms of international passengers, representing 35% of all international passengers in the country. Cancun Airport is a major destination served by most U.S. and Canadian mainline airlines from all their hubs and focus cities, making it the airport outside the United States with the highest number of passengers to and from the United States.
Ranked as the 43rd busiest airport in the world, Cancun Airport is Mexico's second busiest, following Mexico City International Airport. Regionally, it stands as Latin America's fourth busiest and North America's 24th busiest airport as of 2023. In 2022, it handled 30,342,961 passengers, increasing to 32,750,411 passengers in 2023.
In addition to its commercial operations, Cancun Airport supports various activities in general and executive aviation, flight training, and intensive air charter services. Cozumel and Tulum international airports serve as alternative options in the Cancun area, contributing to the region's overall aviation infrastructure.
== History ==
=== Early operations ===
Cancun's initial airport was established in 1942 as a strategic move to support the region's primary industry at the time: the chewing gum industry. This early airport operated on a rudimentary runway, featuring a control tower constructed from wood and reeds, which remained in operation until 1973. To commemorate its history, a replica stands near the city's entrance, close to its original location.
In the early 1970s, Cancun emerged as a major tourist destination following a deliberate effort by the Mexican government, in collaboration with the National Tourism Development Fund (Spanish: Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo FONATUR). Recognizing its strategic location, near pristine beaches, natural landscapes, and archaeological sites, the comprehensive plan aimed to transform Cancun from a sparsely inhabited area into a world-class tourist hub. Substantial investments in infrastructure were made, including the construction of the new Cancun International Airport, executed by Henro y Asociados in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure. The airport's inaugural commercial flight occurred on May 12, 1975, drawing swift attention from international tourists.
Throughout its history, Cancun Airport has hosted a variety of airlines. It served as a hub for Mexicana, Interjet, and Aladia in their operational years, facilitating connections for both domestic and international flights. Additionally, the defunct charter airline Aerocancun, based in Cancun, provided flights to U.S., Canadian, European, and South American destinations. MAYAir, established in 1994 initially as a charter airline, expanded its routes from Cancun to various destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula.
=== Privatization and expansion ===
In 1995, Mexico embarked on a significant airport privatization initiative through the 'Ley de Aeropuertos' (Airports Law) introduced by the Department of Infrastructure. This marked a pivotal moment for Cancun Airport, integrating it into the Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste ASUR.
Until the early 2000s, Cancun Airport operated with two terminals. A major transformation began in 2005 when ASUR invested US$150 million in constructing Terminal 3, officially inaugurated in 2007. Key additions, including a new runway and Latin America's tallest control tower at 97 meters, were unveiled in October 2009, effectively doubling the airport's passenger handling capacity. On November 27, 2013, Cancun Airport achieved another milestone, becoming the first in Mexico to welcome the Airbus A380, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Air France and the 15th anniversary of ASUR.
The expansion continued with Terminal 2 in 2014, and a significant 76,000 square metres (820,000 sq ft) expansion of Terminal 3 in 2016, introducing six gates and additional commercial areas. This expansion aimed at accommodating the growing annual capacity, increasing it to 10 million from the previous 6 million. Responding to overcrowding and surging demand, Terminal 4 was inaugurated in October 2017.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexican authorities maintained open borders for tourism, positioning Cancun as one of the select international destinations to welcome visitors.
== Facilities ==
The airport is located in the Cancun urban area, less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of the tourist complex, at an elevation of 6 metres (20 ft) above sea level. It features two runways: Runway 12R/30L, measuring 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) in length, and Runway 12L/30R, spanning 2,800 metres (9,200 ft). With the capability to accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 747s and Airbus A380s, the airport boasts two parallel operative runways that can be used simultaneously. Cancun Airport is the easternmost airport in Mexico.
Cancun Airport comprises three terminals dedicated to scheduled flights (Terminals 2, 3, and 4), one terminal specifically for charter flights (Terminal 1), and an FBO terminal. This makes it the airport with the highest number of passenger terminals in Mexico. Beyond the terminals, the airport offers long-term and short-term parking facilities, on-site hotels, a variety of restaurants, and rental car services. It also accommodates facilities for the Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (Spanish: Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano). The airport also accommodates a terminus train station for the Maya Train, connecting to various tourist destinations and airports in southeastern Mexico.
== Terminals ==
=== Terminal 1 (only charter) ===
Exclusively dedicated to charter or private flights, Terminal 1 features 7 gates numbered 1 to 7, 3 helicopter stands, and a VIP lounge, offering comprehensive services for private air travel. Temporarily closed for reconstruction after Hurricane Wilma, the terminal resumed operations exclusively for charter flights upon reopening in November 2013.
=== Terminal 2 ===
As the oldest terminal, Terminal 2 accommodates both arrival and departure services for domestic and international flights. With 22 gates—A1 through A11 (in a satellite building) and B12 through B22 (at the main building)—it serves most domestic airlines, along with all international flights to Central and South America and select long-haul flights to Europe. The check-in area houses a bank and food outlets, while the boarding area features several restaurants and shops, along with immigration/customs services. Two lounges, the MERA Business Lounge and The Lounge by Global Lounge Network cater to domestic and international travellers.
The primary tenants at the terminal are Viva Aerobus, which operates a hub at this location, and Magnicharters and Volaris, operating a focus city services along with Volaris Costa Rica and Volaris El Salvador. Other airlines serving Terminal 1 include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Alaska Airlines, Arajet, Avianca, Avianca Costa Rica, Avianca Ecuador, Avianca El Salvador, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, LATAM Perú, LOT Polish Airlines, Neos, Sky Airline Peru, Sunwing Airlines, TAG Airlines, TUI Airways, TUI fly Netherlands, TUI fly Belgium, and Wingo.
=== Terminal 3 ===
Dedicated exclusively to international flights, Terminal 3 features 21 gates (C4 through C24). Primarily utilized by major US carriers, along with select Canadian and European carriers, the terminal provides amenities such as shops, including duty-free options, cafés, restaurants, as well as immigration and customs facilities. Terminal 3 is home to the MERA Business Lounge. The ground transportation facility is situated outside the arrivals hall.
The airlines flying to Terminal 3 are Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Caraïbes, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberojet, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Wamos Air, and World2fly.
=== Terminal 4 ===
Terminal 4 serves both domestic and international flights. It opened in October 2017, making Cancún Airport the first airport in Mexico to have four terminals. It features 14 gates equipped with jetbridges and is able to handle 9 million passengers a year. An on-site hotel is also planned to be opened, as well as a parking structure. Three lounges serve Terminal 4. They are the MERA Business Lounge (national), MERA Business Lounge (international), and The Lounge in Partnership with Air Transat.
At Terminal 4, ADO bus tickets are available for a price approximately five times higher than the standard rate. It is advisable to either purchase the ticket online or consider walking to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to potentially save around 400 Mexican pesos (M$110) or 25 US dollars (USD 25) as of 2023. The bus stop is located past the ground transportation facility.
The airlines flying to Terminal 4 are Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Air Transat, Austrian Airlines, Condor, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Flair Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, and WestJet.
=== FBO terminal ===
The FBO terminal caters to general aviation from Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. Positioned to the south of the passenger terminal complex, near the main airport entrance, it offers an array of services including ground support, fuel coordination, ground transportation, car rental, catering, and airport lounges. Additionally, the FBO accommodates commercial services from the Belizean airline Tropic Air.
=== Inter-terminal transportation ===
Terminal-to-terminal transportation is facilitated by an inter-terminal shuttle, with buses departing from each terminal every 10 minutes.
== Airlines and destinations ==
=== Passenger ===
Airlines 	Destinations
Aeroméxico 	Mexico City, Mexico City–AIFA
Air Canada 	Vancouver
American Airlines 	Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York–JFK, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
British Airways 	London–Gatwick
Delta Air Lines 	Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–JFK, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma
Southwest Airlines	Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, St. Louis
TUI Airways 	Birmingham, London–Gatwick, Manchester
=== Cargo ===
Airlines 	Destinations
Amerijet International	Belize City, Ciudad del Carmen, Mérida, Miami
Estafeta Carga Aérea 	Mérida, Miami
FedEx Express 	Mérida, Miami
== Ground transportation ==
The primary mode of transportation to and from the airport is by road. Travelers to Cancun often arrange ground transportation in advance due to its convenience. Official airport taxis, known for their higher costs, are generally discouraged, and local taxis are not permitted for pickups at the airport. Large short- and long-term parking facilities are available at all terminals.
=== Local shuttles ===
Each terminal features extensive ground transportation facilities with numbered boarding platforms and nearby snack stands. These facilities are serviced by various companies offering transportation to and from hotels, many of which allow online pre-booking.
=== Long-distance bus ===
ADO, the primary long-distance bus carrier in southeastern Mexico, serves various destinations, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulúm, and Mérida (with stops at Altabrisa station and Paseo 60 station). Additionally, ADO provides transportation to Cozumel (via Bus + Ferry) and Chiquilá (via Bus + Ferry).
ADO buses make stops at all ground transportation terminals and travel directly to the ADO Bus stations in the specified towns, without making stops at hotels or along the route. Coaches accommodate 44 passengers, featuring air conditioning and high-definition entertainment screens.
=== Train ===
Cancun International Airport is across Federal Highway 180 from Cancún Airport railway station, the largest station on the recently established Tren Maya, a 1,500 km intercity rail network. Located on the opposite side of the runway from the main terminal buildings, this station is equipped with nine platforms. Commencing December 16, 2023, the station will facilitate departures along both the west route, connecting to destinations such as Chichén Itzá railway station, Teya Mérida railway station, and San Francisco de Campeche railway station, and the south route, serving Tulum railway station, Tulum Airport railway station, and Chetumal Airport railway station. Trains are scheduled to operate at least every 2 hours along these routes.
The Cancún Airport-Tren Maya Station Connection is a shuttle bus connection that will connect the 4 terminals of the airport with the railway station. The connection is through 7 electric buses, which operate a 4 km route at a speed of 69 km/h. Each of them has a maximum capacity of 47 passengers.
== Accidents and incidents ==
* On December 26, 1980, a British Aerospace 125 operated by Servicios Aereos Regiomontanos (SARSA) descended into trees on climbout and crashed one kilometer from the airport. All three occupants were killed.
* On March 15, 1984, Aerocozumel Flight 261 crashed soon after takeoff. No one died in the crash, but one passenger died of a heart attack while evacuating the swampy crash scene.
* On September 9, 2009, Mexico City-bound Aeroméxico Flight 576 was hijacked after take off. The hijackers were Bolivians who wanted to speak to the President. The plane landed safely in Mexico City, all hostages were released and the hijackers were arrested.
== Accolades ==
* 2011 – Best Airport in Latin America – Caribbean of the Airport Service Quality Awards by Airports Council International and 2nd Best Airport by Size in the 5 to 15 million passenger category
== References ==
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# ^ https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/09/world/AP-LT-Mexico-Hijacking.html [dead link]
# ^ "ASQ Award for Best Airport in Latin America – Caribbean" Archived 2012-02-18 at the Wayback Machine Airports Council International. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-13
# ^ "ASQ Award for Best Airport by Size (5-15m)" Archived 2012-02-19 at the Wayback Machine Airports Council International. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-13