PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – The Puerto Vallarta International Airport recorded a contrasting performance in September 2023, showing signs of both growth and contraction. While the airport surpassed 5 million passengers for the year to date, it also marked a decrease in monthly air tourism compared to September 2022, according to recent data.
Passenger Traffic Statistics: A Mixed Picture
Preliminary data released by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the company managing 12 airports across Mexico, indicated a 6.5% overall increase in total passenger traffic in September 2023 compared to the same month in the previous year. Notably, airports in Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Los Cabos presented growth rates of 5.6%, 5.2%, and 2.7%, respectively, compared to figures from September 2022. In contrast, Puerto Vallarta International Airport reported a 5.2% decline in passenger numbers.
In numerical terms, the Vallarta airport welcomed 352,100 passengers in September 2023, compared to 371,400 passengers during the same period in 2022. Despite this monthly dip, the year-to-date passenger count reached an impressive 5,060,900, representing an 11.7% increase over the same period last year. Although the growth rate has gradually declined, it maintains a double-digit percentage, setting the stage for a potential new annual record.
Domestic vs International Traffic: A Divergent Trend
The data also revealed distinct trends in domestic and international air travel. Domestic flights brought 213,000 passengers to Puerto Vallarta in September 2023, a marginal 0.5% increase from 212,000 passengers in September 2022. Cumulatively, over the first nine months of 2023, the airport has seen 2,197,100 national passengers, a 13% rise compared to the same timeframe in 2022.
Conversely, international flights experienced a notable downturn. International passengers decreased by 12.7% to 139,100 in September 2023 from 159,300 in September 2022. However, the nine-month aggregate for international passengers stands at 2,863,800, marking a 10.7% increase compared to the previous year's period.
August also recorded a decline in international tourists, raising concern over a strengthening peso making travel to Mexico from the US and Canada more expensive.
Seating and Load Factors: Marginal Changes
Seat availability during September 2023 saw a 6.5% increase over the same month in 2022. However, the load factor, a key indicator of an airline's efficiency in filling seats, witnessed a slight dip, moving from 78.0% in September 2022 to 77.8% in September 2023.
New Routes
September also saw the inauguration of a new flight route between Guadalajara and Villahermosa, operated by Volaris, expanding options for travelers.
Conclusion
As the fourth quarter of 2023 commences, Puerto Vallarta International Airport faces challenges and opportunities. While the airport has registered significant year-to-date growth, the recent monthly decline may alert stakeholders to reevaluate their strategies in both the domestic and international markets.
