Guadalajara Airport, Mexico’s Third Busiest, Inaugurates Second Runway

This Tuesday (23) saw the official inauguration of the second runway at the Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, serving Guadalajara, Mexico, marking a milestone in the expansion of operations for the third busiest airport in Mexico.

The new runway 11L/29R runs parallel to the now designated runway 11R/29L, and measures 3,538 meters long by 45 meters wide. The separation of around 300 meters between the two runways will not allow simultaneous operations, but segregated operations will be possible, with takeoffs on one and landings on the other, which is estimated to increase the long-term operational capacity of Guadalajara airport by 50% to 70%, from the current 41 operations per hour to 60 operations per hour.

At the event, Laura Díez Barroso, president of the Board of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the airport’s concessionaire, expressed her gratitude to federal, state, and municipal authorities, whose support she described as «unconditional» and «essential» for the realization of the project initiated in May 2021.

GAP also highlighted the new general aviation area, which has a platform of 126,000 square meters, 51 hangars, and a service building. Due to its size, Díez Barroso described this sector as «an airport within the Guadalajara airport.»

Both works are part of an expansion and modernization plan that includes investments of around 800 million dollars until the year 2029, which also includes the remodeling and expansion of the passenger terminal (90,000 square meters), the construction of a second terminal of 125,700 square meters with 18 boarding gates, a hotel, expansion of the vehicle parking lot, new taxiways, and other complementary works.

In 2023, Guadalajara International Airport handled 17.7 million passengers, of which 5.2 million were international. This places it as the third busiest in Mexico, after Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Cancun (CUN).

According to information gathered by Aviacionline through Cirium, as of July this year, the network of destinations served from Guadalajara airport reaches 31 cities in Mexico and 28 abroad, operated by 12 airlines.

Flights in Guadalajara

Volaris is the main operator in Guadalajara, accounting for 53% of seat capacity and 48% of frequencies. It is followed by Viva Aerobus with 28% of seat capacity and 27% of frequencies. In third place is Aeroméxico with 13% of seat capacity and 14% of frequencies.

With joy we share the inaugural christening of the #SegundaPistaGDL, the beginning of great stories and economic consolidation for our region.
A historic day for the industry in Mexico. ? #SegundaPistaGDL #QueremosQueLoVivas pic.twitter.com/P8RGPP55Bt

— Guadalajara International Airport. IATA: GDL (@Aeropuerto_GDL) July 23, 2024

Temas

• Aviation in Mexico
• Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico
• Mexican airports

AUTOR

Edgardo Gimenez Mazó

Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES

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