Mérida’s airport is continuing its steady climb as one of southeastern Mexico’s fastest-growing air hubs, with passenger traffic rising nearly 10 percent in the first five months of the year.
According to new figures from airport operator ASUR, the destination’s International Airport handled 1.7 million passengers through May, a 9.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The growth was driven by both domestic and international demand, with domestic traffic remaining the airport’s primary engine.
Domestic Demand Keeps Rising
Domestic passenger traffic reached 1.52 million travelers through May, up 10.3 percent from the same period in the previous year.
The airport handled 313,280 domestic passengers in May alone, compared to 281,520 travelers during the same month a year earlier, representing an 11.3 percent increase.
The figures reflect continued demand for travel to Mérida, a city that has become one of Mexico’s most popular destinations for cultural tourism, food-focused travel and gateway access to the Yucatán Peninsula.
International Traffic Also Expands
International passenger traffic also posted gains.
The airport welcomed 183,228 international travelers through May, up 6.1 percent year over year.
In May, international traffic totaled 29,549 passengers, compared to 28,352 travelers in the same month last year, a 4.2 percent increase.
While international traffic remains a smaller share of the airport’s overall business, the continued growth underscores Mérida’s expanding appeal among visitors arriving from outside Mexico.
A Growing Gateway to the Yucatán
Combined domestic and international traffic reached 342,829 passengers in May, up 10.6 percent from the same month last year.
Through the first five months of the year, total passenger volume climbed from 1.55 million to 1.70 million travelers.
The continued growth comes as Mérida strengthens its position as a regional gateway for travelers heading to destinations across the Yucatán Peninsula, including beach destinations on the Gulf Coast, the region’s celebrated culinary scene and some of Mexico’s most significant archaeological sites.
The latest figures extend a broader growth trend for the airport, which has benefited from increasing domestic connectivity and rising interest in the Yucatán as a year-round travel destination.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-06-14 18:30:00

