Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Passenger traffic at Puerto Vallarta International Airport took a notable dip in September, recording a 5.1% decline compared to the same month in 2023, as reported by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). This contraction marks a pronounced shift during what is typically the low season, reflecting the broader downward trend seen across GAP’s network of 12 airports in Mexico.
The GAP network collectively reported a 3.6% drop in total passenger traffic this past September, contrasting starkly with the 4.1% increase observed at Guadalajara’s bustling airport. While Guadalajara thrived, other prominent terminals faced setbacks; Los Cabos experienced a 9.9% decrease, and Tijuana recorded a 6.2% reduction, indicating a regional slowdown impacting key destinations.
Domestic Traffic Boosts Puerto Vallarta, But International Numbers Slump
In Puerto Vallarta, 334,000 passengers passed through the terminal in September 2024, a reduction from the 352,100 recorded in the same month last year. On the domestic front, Puerto Vallarta saw a slight improvement with 219,100 domestic travelers—a 2.8% increase from September 2023’s 213,000. This resurgence places the domestic market back on an upward trend for September, despite a year-to-date dip of 3.4%, totaling 2,121,600 passengers, compared to 2,197,100 in 2023.
International traffic, however, painted a contrasting picture. Only 115,000 passengers arrived on international flights, a steep 17.3% decrease from the 139,100 recorded in September 2023. Although international arrivals for the year still reflect growth, with a cumulative total of 2,970,500 passengers—up 3.7% from 2,863,800 last year—the latest monthly numbers suggest a cooling in demand from international travelers as the year progresses.
Occupancy Rates Rise Amid Decreased Seat Availability
Despite the downturn in total passenger numbers, GAP reported an increase in occupancy rates. With a 7.8% decrease in the volume of seats offered during September 2024, the occupancy factor climbed from 77.8% in September 2023 to 81.0% this year. This heightened occupancy rate, against reduced capacity, reflects an effective adjustment by airlines in response to fluctuating demand.
Year-to-Date Performance and Future Outlook
In the first nine months of 2024, Puerto Vallarta Airport serviced 5,092,100 passengers—still marginally ahead by 0.6% compared to last year’s figure of 5,060,900. However, GAP’s data indicates that the gap is shrinking, and the current trend may lead to a full-year result below last year’s performance. Notably, Puerto Vallarta remains the only major airport within the GAP network that has thus far maintained a year-over-year increase in passenger traffic, though the sustainability of this lead is increasingly in question.
The decline in passenger traffic across GAP airports coincides with broader industry adjustments as airlines optimize seat availability and capacity to align with demand fluctuations. This month, only one new route was inaugurated within GAP’s network: Flair Airlines launched a new flight connecting Guadalajara and Toronto, reflecting the growing interest in establishing direct connections with Canada’s principal cities.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Passenger traffic at Puerto Vallarta International Airport took a notable dip in September, recording a 5.1% decline compared to the same month in 2023, as reported by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). This contraction marks a pronounced shift during what is typically the low season, reflecting the broader downward trend seen across GAP’s network of 12 airports in Mexico.
