Cancun International Airport, that first taste of Caribbean air for so many, saw its international arrival numbers take a bit of a dip this past March. Instead of the bustling 2.86 million international passengers who landed in March 2024, this year saw around 2.74 million according to ASUR (Aeropuertos del Sureste).
That roughly 120,000 fewer arrivals, a drop of about 4.2%, might seem like a straightforward decline. But the story behind those numbers is a little more nuanced, with a couple of key players influencing the scene.
First, there’s the shiny new Tulum International Airport. Finally open and operating, it’s now offering a direct route for those whose vacation plans center around Tulum and the stunning coastline south of Cancun. Makes sense, right? If your heart’s set on those Tulum vibes, why not fly straight there and skip the extra travel from Cancun?
This new convenience naturally means some international travelers are now choosing Tulum as their arrival point, which has a direct impact on Cancun’s figures. It’s less about fewer people wanting to visit the region and more about them having a new, more direct option.
Then, there’s the calendar – specifically the timing of Semana Santa (Holy Week). This is a huge travel period in Mexico. Last year, Semana Santa fell in March, giving Cancun’s arrival numbers a significant boost right in the middle of the month. Think of all those extra flights and excited tourists!
This year, however, Semana Santa is happening in April. That means that big wave of holiday travelers that boosted Cancun’s March numbers last year simply wasn’t a factor this time around. So, when you compare the two Marches, you’re not comparing apples to apples in terms of holiday traffic.
So, while Cancun Airport’s international arrival numbers were down slightly in March compared to last year, it’s not necessarily a sign of a downturn in the region’s popularity. Instead, it looks like the travel patterns are shifting a bit, influenced by the new Tulum airport offering a more direct option for some, and the different timing of a major travel-driving holiday. Cancun remains a vital gateway, but now it has a new counterpart sharing the load and potentially making the overall travel experience a little more streamlined for everyone. It’s more about an evolving travel landscape than a simple decrease in demand.
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