Background and Relevance
The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, has demonstrated resilience by surpassing half a million international passengers despite facing various hurdles throughout 2025. This airport, which opened in December 2023, has become a crucial gateway for tourists visiting the popular Yucatan Peninsula destination.
Airport Performance and Statistics
Total Passenger Count: The airport has facilitated a total of 1,190,700 passengers in the first ten months of 2025. Of these, 46.7% are domestic travelers, while the remaining 53.3% are international passengers.
International Passenger Count: Specifically, 542,902 international passengers have used the airport so far in 2025. This figure represents a significant portion of the total passenger count, highlighting Tulum’s importance as an international travel hub.
Year-to-Date Comparison: By the end of 2024, the airport had already registered 1,233,459 passengers. Currently, with two months remaining in 2025, the airport is at 82.6% of its target passenger count for the year.
Flight Cancellations and Recovery
Throughout 2025, several international flight cancellations have posed challenges for the Tulum airport. Notable route cancellations include:
- Avianca from Bogotá, Colombia
- Air Canada from Ottawa and Quebec (routes launched following the airport’s opening in December 2023)
- United Airlines from Boston
- Reduced frequencies from Montreal (United Airlines) (only Toronto route remains unchanged with four weekly frequencies)
Despite these cancellations, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo (Sedetur), has expressed optimism regarding Tulum’s recovery. He stated that many canceled routes are expected to return by December of the same year.
Cueto Riestra: “The situation in Tulum corresponds to seasonal flights that are now returning. We will be sharing information on numerous routes resuming operations at the Tulum International Airport in preparation for the high season leading up to the end of the year.”
Cancun Airport Performance in Comparison
Interestingly, while Tulum’s international airport has seen 542,902 passengers in the first ten months of 2025, its neighboring counterpart, the Cancun International Airport, has also experienced a decline of one million passengers during the same period.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total passenger count at Tulum International Airport so far in 2025? The airport has facilitated a total of 1,190,700 passengers.
- What percentage of these passengers are international travelers? Approximately 53.3% of the total passengers are international travelers.
- Which airlines have canceled routes to Tulum in 2025? Airlines that have canceled routes include Avianca, Air Canada, United Airlines, and reduced frequencies from Montreal via United Airlines.
- What is the current status of Tulum’s airport recovery? Despite flight cancellations, the Secretary of Tourism for Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, has expressed optimism about Tulum’s recovery, anticipating the return of many canceled routes by year-end.
- How does Tulum’s airport performance compare to Cancun International Airport? While Tulum has seen 542,902 international passengers in the first ten months of 2025, Cancun International Airport has experienced a decline of one million passengers during the same period.
