Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta International Airport is showing signs of recovery after a difficult start to 2026, with monthly passenger declines narrowing steadily since the sharp downturn recorded in March.
According to traffic figures from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the airport handled 731,700 passengers in January, 2.6% more than during the same month last year. Traffic then weakened, falling 5.3% in February and reaching its lowest point in March, when 576,600 passengers represented a 24.4% year-on-year decline.
International traffic was hit especially hard, dropping 32.1% in March amid weaker travel demand, reduced airline capacity and temporary disruptions affecting international tourism.
The situation began to improve in April. Although passenger traffic remained below 2025 levels, the year-on-year gap narrowed from 17% in April to 14.4% in May. June brought another decline of 18.7%, but the recovery resumed in July, when traffic fell 12.1%.
By August, the airport handled 426,900 passengers, putting the decline at 10.3% compared with August 2025. That was the smallest year-on-year gap since the downturn began and suggests that Puerto Vallarta is gradually regaining momentum.
The loss of Spirit Airlines, which ended its Puerto Vallarta operations in May, added pressure to the airport’s international network. However, other airlines have continued to expand or restore service, helping offset some of the lost capacity.
Southwest Airlines has restored daily year-round service between San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, while Porter Airlines has strengthened connections with Canada. Volaris has also added domestic capacity, providing further support for the airport’s network.
Infrastructure investment is another factor shaping the destination’s long-term outlook. The construction of Terminal 2 is moving forward and is expected to increase the Puerto Vallarta’s international airport’s passenger capacity. Construction of a new runway will also provide additional infrastructure for future growth.
Higher airfares and fuel costs have created challenges for international travel in 2026, particularly for destinations that depend heavily on visitors from the United States and Canada. Even so, Puerto Vallarta continues to attract travelers interested in beach vacations and longer stays.
While passenger numbers remain below last year’s levels, the narrowing decline, renewed airline service and continued investment suggest that Puerto Vallarta’s tourism sector is adapting rather than retreating. If the trend continues, the destination could enter the next travel season with a stronger international network and greater capacity to accommodate future demand.
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