Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In February 2024, Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport experienced an increase in total passengers, contrasting with a national decline in tourism. This upturn was primarily fueled by a rise in international travelers.
According to preliminary data on passenger traffic, the 12 airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico collectively saw a 1.1% increase in total passenger traffic compared to February 2023.
Among these airports, Puerto Vallarta, along with Guanajuato, Los Cabos, and Guadalajara, recorded notable increases of 7.7%, 5.3%, 1.7%, and 0.6%, respectively, over the same period last year. Particularly noteworthy was Puerto Vallarta’s airport, which attracted 662,200 passengers in February, marking a 7.7% increase from the previous year.
However, domestic air travel to Puerto Vallarta saw a decline, with 168,500 passengers arriving on domestic flights in February, reflecting an 8.2% decrease from February 2023. This downward trend persisted over the first two months of the year, totaling 369,200 passengers, down by 9.8% from the same period in 2023.
In contrast, international flights experienced a surge in passengers, with 493,700 travelers arriving in February, marking a significant 14.5% increase from February 2023. This trend remained consistent over the first two months of the year, totaling 992,500 passengers, representing an 11.3% rise from the previous year.
Moreover, the overall volume of seats offered in Mexican GAP terminals in February 2024 experienced a 2.5% decrease compared to February 2023, attributed to preventive inspections of Pratt & Whitney engines of the A320neo and A321neo family. Despite this, the load factor improved from 78.3% in February 2023 to 81.7% in February 2024.
Additionally, during February, only one new route was introduced: the Tijuana–Phoenix route operated by American Airlines.
