Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) surpassed 6.8 million passengers in 2024, marking a historic milestone, according to figures released by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). Despite a marginal 0.2% increase compared to 2023, this achievement underscores the continued appeal of Puerto Vallarta as a premier travel destination.
December 2024 Sees Slight Decline in Traffic
The record-setting year came despite a slight reduction in December passenger traffic, with 685,500 passengers recorded—a 1.8% decline compared to December 2023. This dip was reflected in GAP’s overall figures for its Mexican airports, which collectively saw a 3.4% increase in passenger traffic for December 2024.
Key airports like Guadalajara and Tijuana posted growth of 8.2% and 2.7%, respectively, while Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos experienced declines of 1.8% and 0.9%.
Annual Growth Highlights
Over the course of 2024, Puerto Vallarta’s passenger numbers reached 6,803,500, slightly up from 6,787,700 in 2023. While the year’s overall growth was modest, several GAP-managed airports demonstrated significant increases, including:
- La Paz: +8.1%
- Aguascalientes: +3.6%
- Los Mochis: +24.3%
- Manzanillo: +21%
Guadalajara Airport, the busiest in GAP’s portfolio, saw a 0.8% rise in passenger traffic.
Domestic and International Travel Trends
In December 2024, domestic arrivals to Puerto Vallarta increased by 7.7%, with 248,300 passengers compared to 230,600 in December 2023. However, for the entire year, domestic passenger traffic slightly declined by 0.6%, totaling 2,841,900.
International travel also showed mixed results. While December 2024 saw a 6.5% increase in international passengers compared to December 2023, the annual total of 3,961,300 represented a modest year-over-year growth of 0.9%.
Seat Availability and Occupancy Rates
The volume of available seats in December 2024 decreased by 3.1% compared to the same month in 2023. Despite this reduction, the occupancy factor improved, climbing from 80.4% in December 2023 to 85.5% in December 2024, reflecting increased efficiency in airline operations.
Expansion of Routes
The final month of 2024 saw the launch of several new routes from GAP’s airports, highlighting the growing connectivity across Mexico and internationally:
- Guadalajara: New routes to Mexicali, Ciudad Obregón, Torreón, Puerto Escondido, Oakland, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, Orlando, Denver, Tulum, and Fresno, serviced by airlines such as Viva Aerobus, Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Alaska Airlines.
- Manzanillo: A new route to Los Angeles via Aeroméxico.
Looking Ahead
Puerto Vallarta’s record-breaking passenger numbers for 2024 reaffirm its position as a leading destination for both domestic and international travelers. While December’s slight decline highlights ongoing challenges, the overall upward trend and the expansion of routes signal a robust future for air travel to the region.
As Puerto Vallarta continues to evolve, its ability to adapt and attract visitors will remain critical to sustaining its reputation as one of Mexico’s top tourist destinations.
