The three main private airport groups in Mexico reported a decrease in the flow of passengers transported during the third quarter of the year, a decline attributed to various factors that are impacting the sector.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR), which transported 9.6 million travelers, registered a decrease of 10.1%, with international traffic being the most affected with a drop of 12.6%, while domestic traffic decreased by 8.0%, according to data from its latest financial report.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), which operates 14 airports, reported a reduction of 923,200 passengers, which is equivalent to a decrease of 5.7%, with a drop of 8.2% in domestic passengers and 1.9% in international passengers. For its part, Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA) also suffered a drop of 5.3%, which reduced its total traffic to 7 million passengers.
Technical problems in aircraft
One of the main reasons for this drop is the impact of preventive overhauls of the A320neo and A321neo engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, an issue that has particularly affected airlines such as Volaris and VivaAerobus. According to GAP, this technical problem reached its most critical point during the quarter, contributing to a 5.7% decrease in passenger traffic.
The situation is aggravated by delays in the delivery of new aircraft, such as those from Boeing, which reduces operational capacity and affects seat scheduling on key routes. According to Francisco Madrid, director of the Sustainable Tourism Advanced Research Center, this is one of the main short-term challenges facing the industry, especially internationally, where the lack of seats limits the recovery of the sector.
“Destination fatigue” and lack of tourism promotion
Another relevant factor is the phenomenon of “destination fatigue.” After the pandemic, Mexico was a priority destination for many international tourists, but now, with the return to normality and the increase in global options, some travelers have chosen to explore other countries. This, coupled with a lack of investment in tourism promotion, is allowing other markets to gain ground on Mexico.
In the domestic market, this trend is reflected in a lower interest in destinations that some travelers consider routine, which has also contributed to the drop in the number of passengers.
Insecurity and risk perception
Insecurity is another key element that affects the tourist flow in Mexico. OMA highlighted in its financial report that the “high incidence of crime,” including extortion and drug trafficking, could have adverse effects on passenger traffic. Travel warnings issued by the United States Department of State, which advise against visiting states such as Guerrero, Michoacán and Zacatecas, reinforce this negative perception.
Recent examples illustrate the direct impact of insecurity on airport activity. In Culiacán, operations were affected by a violent conflict following the capture of a drug trafficking leader, which contributed to a 20.7% drop in traffic on key routes. Meanwhile, extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, have also aggravated the situation, with a 42.5% decrease in passenger traffic at that terminal.
Despite these adversities, specialists such as Francisco Madrid emphasize that millions of tourists continue to arrive at the country’s main destinations. However, immediate measures are required to counteract the lack of seats on international flights, as well as joint efforts between the public and private sectors to strengthen tourism promotion and effectively address insecurity.
Source: expansion
