Background on Cancún International Airport (AIC)
The Cancún International Airport (AIC) is a major international airport serving the popular Mexican tourist destination of Cancún, Quintana Roo. It is one of the busiest airports in Mexico and a critical hub for international travel to the Yucatan Peninsula.
Passenger Decline in 2025
In the first ten months of 2025, Cancún International Airport has reported a significant drop in passenger numbers compared to the same period in 2024. According to Asur’s monthly report, the airport has handled 24.2 million passengers from January to October 2025, a decrease of 1 million passengers compared to the same period in 2024 (25.2 million).
Monthly Passenger Decline
The decline in passenger numbers has been consistent throughout 2025:
– January: -5%
– February: -7.2%
– March: -6.2%
– April: -5%
– May: -4.8%
– June: -4.7%
– July: -3.7%
The decline continued in August (-3%), September (-4%), and October (-3.8%). This translates to approximately 958,893 fewer passengers compared to the same period in 2024.
International vs. Domestic Travel
The international passenger segment has been more severely affected, with 723,658 fewer travelers compared to 2024. This indicates a substantial decrease in foreign tourist arrivals.
Impact on Key U.S. Routes
The Cancún International Airport’s passenger decline aligns with a recent report from the Advanced Sustainable Tourism Research Center (STARC). STARC’s findings reveal that key U.S. routes to Cancún have experienced a decrease in passenger transportation:
- Chicago-Cancún: -15%
- Panama-Cancún: -7.4%
- Dallas-Cancún: -5.8%
- Cancún-New York: -3.8%
- Cancún-Atlanta: -2.1%
Domestic Flight Decline
Domestic flights have also seen decreases:
– Toluca to Cancún: -10%
– Mexico City: -5.8%
– AIFA: -5.2%
– Monterrey: -4.6%
Explanation from State Tourism Secretary
Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the state’s tourism secretary, has attributed much of the passenger traffic decline to technical repairs required for aircraft by airlines worldwide. He remains optimistic, expecting improvements starting in 2026 due to the FIFA World Cup’s anticipated influx of over 5 million additional international visitors to Mexico.
