Ahead of Schedule: Tulum Airport Set for Early Completion, Reveals Mexico’s President

The forthcoming Tulum International Airport, presently under construction, will serve as a commendable alternative for travelers venturing to the Mexican Caribbean and, naturally, the city itself.

Furthermore, it will alleviate some of the burden from the excessively bustling Cancun International Airport, which handles over 500 daily operations on average.

Although the initial target for the inauguration of Tulum Airport was set for 2024, the President of Mexico recently declared that the project will be completed ahead of schedule.

Regarding Tulum Airport, also known as Felipe Carrillo Puerto, its construction is a colossal endeavor encompassing nearly 3,000 acres. It will function as a combined civil and military airport, forming part of a larger military complex comprising multiple edifices, including boarding lounges and a passenger terminal. Additionally, the project includes roads, parking facilities, structures, and a control tower, as well as the customary buildings and infrastructure typically found in a military base.

The airport itself will be situated within the jurisdiction of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, approximately an hour away from Tulum. However, a major highway will facilitate easy access from this renowned tourist destination to the airport vicinity. Both Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Tulum are located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is also home to other popular vacation spots such as Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun.

Initially projected to be operational in 2024, the Tulum Airport’s completion date has been revised due to a recent announcement by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He now anticipates that the airport will be finalized this year, coinciding with the conclusion of the monumental Maya Train project, scheduled for December 2023.

Both Tulum Airport and the ongoing construction of the Maya Train aim to enhance accessibility to destinations within the Riviera Maya region, beyond Cancun. The Tulum Airport is poised to accommodate up to 4 million passengers annually, establishing itself as the second largest airport on the Yucatán Peninsula, surpassed only by Cancun. Moreover, a Maya Train station will be integrated into the new Tulum Airport, seamlessly connecting these two monumental ventures. Consequently, tourists will experience greater ease in navigating the area and gain access to a myriad of destinations without the need to traverse the entirety of Cancun Airport.

While a definitive roster of airlines operating at Tulum Airport is yet to be disclosed, several possibilities have been mentioned. ViVaAerobus appears to be a certain contender, reportedly being the first airline to operate from the airport. Allegiant Air has also been cited as one carrier facilitating connections between Tulum and various cities in the United States.