PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is on the brink of a significant milestone, targeting 7 million annual passengers. Last month, the airport surpassed the 6 million mark, showcasing a notable 3.7 percent increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
In a recent report by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), it was revealed that during November 2023, its 12 Mexican airports collectively experienced a 0.4 percent rise in total passenger traffic compared to November 2022. Notably, the airports at Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta demonstrated impressive growth rates of 4.3 and 3.7 percent, respectively.
The Puerto Vallarta airport alone attracted 591,400 passengers in November 2023, exceeding the 570,100 passengers recorded in November 2022 by 3.7 percent. This surge contributes to the year’s cumulative count, reaching over 6 million (6,089,600) passengers in the first 11 months, marking a 9.9 percent increase over the same period last year. This growth is slightly shy of a double-digit percentage, but it’s anticipated that a new annual record will be set, especially considering that December 2022 alone saw 670,000 passengers.
However, there was a slight decrease in domestic flight arrivals in November 2023, with 220,000 passengers, a 3.6 percent drop from November 2022’s 228,200. Yet, the total domestic passenger count after 11 months stands at 2,629,400, up 9.4 percent from last year.
Conversely, international flights saw a significant boost, with 371,400 passengers arriving in November 2023, an 8.6 percent increase from the 341,800 in November 2022. The year-to-date tally for international passengers now stands at 3,460,200, a 10.4 percent rise from the previous year.
November 2023 also recorded a 2.5 percent decrease in the volume of seats offered compared to November 2022. This decline is attributed to the preventive maintenance of Pratt & Whitney engines used in the A320neo and A321neo aircraft. Despite this, the load factor improved, climbing from 80.2 percent in November 2022 to 82.8 percent in November 2023.
Adding to the airport’s growth trajectory, new routes were inaugurated last month, including Puerto Vallarta to Calgary by Flair and Los Cabos to Victoria by WestJet, further expanding connectivity and options for travelers.
The continued growth of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport not only reflects the region’s enduring appeal to both domestic and international travelers but also underscores its vital role in boosting the local economy and tourism sector. As the airport approaches the 7 million annual passenger milestone, it stands as a testament to the area’s growing popularity and the sustained efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure.
