Puerto Vallarta International Airport is preparing for a landmark winter season as traveler interest reaches new heights. According to recent data from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the current 2025-2026 high season is set to shatter previous records, signaling a robust period of growth for the region’s tourism industry.
The momentum began building in November with 814,138 available seats, a 6.8 percent rise over the previous year. This upward trend is expected to peak in December, which will serve as the busiest month of the season. Airlines have scheduled 928,102 seats and 2,550 flights for the month, representing a 10 percent increase in capacity compared to last December. This surge highlights the airport’s pivotal role in welcoming visitors during the primary holiday window.
As the calendar turns to the new year, the high volume of travel shows no signs of slowing down. January 2026 is projected to offer 866,310 seats, while February follows with 740,996—increases of 6 percent and 7 percent respectively. These figures suggest that the traditional post-holiday “lull” has been replaced by a sustained interest in the destination, ensuring a steady flow of guests throughout the winter months.
This expansion is further evidenced by the total number of flight operations scheduled for the season. Estimations place the total at 11,946 flights, a 15 percent jump from the 10,412 recorded during the 2024-2025 period. While international travel continues to grow at a healthy 10 percent, domestic operations have seen a particularly impressive 23 percent boost, demonstrating Puerto Vallarta’s strengthening appeal to both global and national travelers.
Even with the schedules for March and April still being finalized, the airport is already guaranteed to surpass the 3,107,374 seats offered during the entirety of the previous high season. This early success reflects a deep sense of optimism for the local economy, confirming that the current boom is a season-long trend rather than a temporary spike.
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