Nayarit Unveils Progress on the New Tepic–Riviera Nayarit International Airport Terminal
With the firm objective of strengthening air connectivity and positioning Nayarit as a national leader in tourism and investment, the official presentation of the progress on the new Tepic–Riviera Nayarit International Airport (TPQ) terminal was held on June 23. The project is considered one of the most significant infrastructure developments for the state’s economic and tourism growth.
The event took place at the new airport terminal, which has now surpassed 84% completion. The project includes a runway that has been expanded by 40%, reaching nearly 3 kilometers in length, allowing it to accommodate direct flights from the United States, Canada, and Europe. The airport’s total surface area has increased from 2,500 square meters to 60,000 square meters, along with the construction of a 43-meter-high control tower. Both projects were completed using sustainable construction standards, establishing the airport as a strategic piece of infrastructure that will strengthen the destination’s connectivity and international presence.
The event was attended by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, Nayarit Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero, Nayarit Secretary of Tourism Juan Enrique Suárez del Real Tostado, General Director of Mexican Airports Javier García Bejos, Director of Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) Captain Carlos Manuel Merino Campos, Director of the Mexican Tourism Airport Group Marco Rivera Guzmán, as well as federal and state officials, highlighting the national importance of the project.
During the presentation, Governor Navarro Quintero emphasized that the new airport will have the capacity to receive up to 4 million tourists annually. He stressed that the goal is not to compete with other airports but rather to complement Mexico’s tourism infrastructure.
“This airport was unimaginable when we only saw new routes within the state. We never thought we would achieve direct routes from Canada to Nayarit or from the United States to Nayarit. At one point, we had only one airline flying to Tepic twice a week. Today, we have a daily flight to the capital that arrives and departs completely full, along with another route from AIFA operating three times a week that is also consistently full,” he said.
The governor added that “Nayarit wants to think big and fly big,” announcing that the state expects 180 billion pesos in combined public and private investment over the next eight years. Planned developments include 4,500 high-value residential homes, a marina, navigation canals, an industrial park connected to the airport, and new cargo facilities, which he described as steps toward transforming Nayarit into the “Mexican Dubai.”
Federal Tourism Secretary Highlights the Importance of Connectivity
Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora stated that without connectivity, there is no tourism, noting that 40% of international travelers who purchase airline tickets choose destinations to experience their cultural and gastronomic attractions.
“Today they will arrive at an airport equipped with every transportation convenience, only twenty minutes away from discovering the essence of Nayarit, the richness of the Wixárika culture, and its coffee producers,” she said.
She also pointed out that the new airport currently operates six routes—three domestic and three international—connecting travelers to key destinations such as Compostela, Tepic, and the Pacific coast.
“There is no Mexico and no Nayarit like this one,” she concluded.
Airport Project Drives Tourism and Economic Growth
ASA Director Carlos Manuel Merino Campos described the airport as a strategic infrastructure project that will strengthen air mobility, tourism development, and the competitiveness of one of Mexico’s fastest-growing regions.
“The results we have seen so far reflect the importance of this project. Between January and April 2026 alone, the airport handled more than 91,000 passengers, with significant growth in both domestic and international operations,” he noted.
The expansion and renovation represent an investment of more than 4.134 billion pesos and currently exceed 84% completion.
The addition of international flights—including Houston via United Airlines, Los Angeles via Volaris, and the upcoming Calgary route operated by WestJet, scheduled to launch later this year—will strengthen Nayarit’s presence in strategic international markets and allow more visitors to discover the region and Mexico as a whole.
During the event, officials also introduced the NUA Exprés ground transportation system, designed to efficiently connect the airport with the state’s main tourist destinations. A live demonstration showcased its approximately 30-minute travel time between the Compostela transportation hub and the airport terminal.
Tourism Industry Participation
The event also brought together tourism service providers from across the state, including:
- Hotel owners
- Restaurant operators
- Travel agencies
- Tour operators
- Certified tour guides
- Representatives of business organizations
The objective was to create opportunities for direct dialogue, strengthen strategic partnerships, and share information about the impact of the new airport complex.
The meeting reinforced confidence within both the tourism and business sectors by demonstrating the project’s tangible progress and confirming that construction remains on schedule. It also introduced tourism service providers to the NUA Exprés transportation system, positioning them as key promoters of Nayarit’s new connectivity model.
A New Era for Nayarit
With this new terminal, Nayarit further strengthens its position as a destination undergoing continuous transformation, capable of accommodating larger aircraft and establishing itself as a strategic hub for air connectivity along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Source: eleconomista
