Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The Puerto Vallarta International Airport is experiencing a promising year, with a steady influx of travelers that’s keeping the region’s tourism sector on a positive trajectory. According to recent data from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the airport saw a slight increase in passenger traffic in July 2025 compared to the same month last year.
This growth, though modest at 0.4%, is a direct result of a booming domestic travel market, which is helping to offset a decline in international visitors.
Domestic Tourism Drives Growth
The summer months, a traditionally busy time for travel, proved to be a success for Puerto Vallarta’s airport. In July alone, it welcomed 550,600 passengers, a positive difference from the 548,300 passengers in July 2024. This increase is largely thanks to a significant jump in domestic flights. A total of 321,500 passengers arrived on flights from within Mexico, marking a substantial 4.8% increase over the previous year. This consistent growth in domestic tourism has been a key factor in the airport’s overall success.
This upward trend isn’t just for July. Over the first seven months of 2025, the airport has already served more than 4.3 million passengers, an increase of 1.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The domestic market has been a major contributor to this success, with an impressive 11.2% increase in domestic passengers during this time.
A Look at the Bigger Picture
While domestic travel is booming, the international market has faced a downturn. In July, the airport saw 229,100 international passengers, a 5.1% decrease from the previous year. This trend has been consistent throughout the year, with a 4.9% drop in international travelers over the first seven months. Despite this, the airport’s strong performance overall shows that Puerto Vallarta remains a popular destination, particularly for travelers from within Mexico.
The success in Puerto Vallarta is part of a larger positive trend across many of GAP’s airports in Mexico. Overall, the 12 Mexican airports managed by GAP saw a 1.8% increase in passenger traffic in July 2025. Airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta saw increases, while Los Cabos remained stable.
With these impressive numbers, Puerto Vallarta International Airport is well on its way to serving more than 5 million passengers by the end of the year. This achievement would be a clear sign of the region’s enduring appeal and the continued strength of its tourism industry.
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