Background and Relevance
Cancún International Airport, managed by Aeropuertos del Sureste (Asur), has experienced a decline in passenger numbers, falling short of the 30 million mark in 2025. This airport has been a crucial gateway to Mexico’s Caribbean coast, attracting millions of tourists each year. The significance of this news lies in understanding the factors contributing to the decrease and its impact on Quintana Roo’s tourism industry.
Passenger Numbers and Trends
Cancún Airport Performance:
- In 2023, Cancún Airport reached a record-breaking 32.4 million passengers.
- In 2024, the airport saw a decrease to 30.4 million passengers.
- In 2025, the airport reported 29.3 million passengers, a 3.5% decrease from 2024.
This decline represents approximately 710,000 international and 355,000 domestic passengers compared to 2024.
Reasons for the Decline
Bernardo Cueto Riestra’s Perspective:
Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, attributed the decrease to a global shortage of airline seats throughout 2025. This was due to technical repairs that forced airlines to ground thousands of aircraft worldwide.
Despite the decrease, Cueto Riestra highlighted that 29.3 million passengers is still a strong figure, considering the pre-pandemic record in Cancún was around 27 million annual passengers.
Compensatory Factors
Cueto Riestra also mentioned the contributions of Tulum and Cozumel airports:
- Tulum Airport: Despite flight cancellations in 2025, Tulum’s airport surpassed its two-year record, becoming an essential player in the regional tourism sector.
- Cozumel Airport: Cozumel reported 646,606 passengers in 2025, with nearly 400,000 being international travelers. Cueto Riestra emphasized that focusing on a single airport’s numbers does not accurately reflect the actual performance of international tourism to and from the Mexican Caribbean in 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What was the passenger count for Cancún Airport in 2025?
A: The airport saw 29.3 million passengers in 2025, falling short of the 30 million target. - Q: Why did Cancún Airport experience a passenger decline?
A: The decrease was primarily due to a global shortage of airline seats caused by technical repairs that grounded many aircraft worldwide. - Q: How did Tulum and Cozumel airports contribute to the situation?
A: Tulum’s airport surpassed its record despite flight cancellations, while Cozumel reported nearly 400,000 international passengers, helping offset Cancún’s decrease. - Q: What does the 29.3 million passenger count signify in the context of pre-pandemic performance?
A: This figure represents a strong performance, considering the pre-pandemic record in Cancún was around 27 million annual passengers.
