Chetumal International Airport

For the future station, see Chetumal Airport railway station.
Chetumal International Airport
Aeropuerto Internacional de Chetumal
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorGrupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica
ServesChetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Time zoneEST (UTC-05:00)
Elevation AMSL12 m / 39 ft
Coordinates18°30′16.8″N 88°19′36.65″W / 18.504667°N 88.3268472°W / 18.504667; -88.3268472
Websitewww.grupomundomaya.com/CTM
Map
CTM
Location of airport in Quintana Roo
CTM
CTM (Mexico)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
10/28 2,208 7,244 Asphalt
Statistics (2025)
Total passengers423,144
Ranking in Mexico42nd 1
Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil[1]

Chetumal International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Chetumal) (IATA: CTM, ICAO: MMCM) is an international airport located in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, near the Belize–Mexico border. It serves domestic flights for Chetumal and the southern Quintana Roo region, while also supporting various executive and general aviation activities, and hosting Mexican Navy facilities. Since 2023, the airport has been operated by Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (GAFSACOMM), a holding company owned by the Mexican military. In terms of traffic, the airport handled 423,144 passengers in 2025, which was a decrease of 2.40% compared to the previous year.[1]

History

Since its early years, multiple airlines have operated at Chetumal International Airport, with Aerocaribe serving as a major operator that later evolved into MexicanaClick, operating at the airport until its bankruptcy in 2010. Interjet, Aviacsa, and ALMA de Mexico also provided services during the 2000s, each facing bankruptcy in their respective times.

In an effort to fill the void left by MexicanaClick, Aeromexico attempted to take over services. However, the competitive pricing of Interjet rendered Aeromexico's operations to Chetumal financially unsustainable.[2] The airport underwent significant renovations and a runway and passenger terminal expansion in 2011.[3] Despite Aeromexico ending its service to Chetumal in 2013, it resumed in 2020 through Aeromexico Connect.[4][5]

From 1974 to 2023, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) managed the airport. However, in 2023, airport management transitioned to Grupo Olmeca Maya Mexica, aligning with the López Obrador administration's controversial strategy to involve the armed forces in significant infrastructure projects. This militarization trend has impacted various initiatives, including the Tren Maya, where the Chetumal Airport Train Station is projected as the terminus for the Cancún-Chetumal line, also serving as Chetumal's primary train station. Additionally, it played a role in the attempted revival of Mexicana de Aviación, which initially announced flights to Chetumal, temporarily canceled the service[6] and finally launched them in December 2023.[7]

Previously, it operates international flights to United States and Belize. which was served by foreign carriers including American Eagle and Tropic Air.

Facilities

The airport is situated at an elevation of 12 metres (39 ft) above mean sea level, covering an area of 230 hectares (570 acres). It features a single asphalt runway, designated as 10/28, measuring 2,208 metres (7,244 ft). The commercial aviation apron spans 13,140 square metres (141,400 sq ft), featuring two parking positions for narrow-body aircraft and additional stands for general aviation. Official operating hours are from 7:00 to 19:00.

The passenger terminal caters to both domestic arrivals and departures in a single-story structure. It includes check-in areas, a security checkpoint, a baggage claim area, and an arrivals hall with car rental services, taxi stands, and several retail stores. Before security, there is a small selection of shops plus a ScotiaBank ATM. The departures concourse includes two gates with direct access to the apron, allowing passengers to board their planes by walking to the aircraft. There are also Cafe 747 selling hot food, a kiosk serving sandwiches and cold drinks, and a small shop with a range of snacks and gifts. Adjacent facilities include parking areas, civil aviation hangars, administration offices, courier and logistic facilities, and facilities for general aviation.

Currently under construction on the airport grounds is a Tren Maya station called Chetumal Airport railway station (Spanish: Estación de Chetumal Aeropuerto), aiming to establish connectivity with Tulum International Airport, Cancun International Airport, and other key tourist destinations in southeastern Mexico.[8]

Chetumal Naval Air Base (Spanish: Base Aeronaval de Chetumal) is a facility of the Mexican Navy located at the eastern end of the airport grounds. The base hosts the following units:

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Aeroméxico Mexico City–Benito Juárez
Aeroméxico Connect Mexico City–Benito Juárez
Mexicana de Aviación Mexico City–Felipe Ángeles
Viva Mexico City–Benito Juárez, Mexico City–Felipe Ángeles
Volaris Mexico City–Benito Juárez

Destinations map

Destinations from Chetumal International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Blue = Future destination
Green = Seasonal destination

Statistics

Annual Traffic

Passenger statistics at CTM[1]
Year Total Passengers change % Cargo movements (t) Air operations
2006 93,533 301 6,274
2007 112,169 19.92% 321 6,420
2008 121,316 8.15% 329 6,623
2009 104,646 13.74% 195 6,214
2010 95,687 8.56% 140 5,296
2011 129,615 35.46% 114 5,282
2012 156,838 21.00% 95 5,553
2013 151,087 3.67% - 4,454
2014 155,799 3.12% 24 4,540
2015 179,377 15.13% 91 4,728
2016 209,972 17.06% 99 4,981
2017 275,610 31.26% 193 6,297
2018 321,785 16.75% 1,345 5,916
2019 368,332 14.47% 1,424 5,623
2020 152,640 58.56% 43 3,174
2021 279,525 83.13% 31 4,452
2022 374,152 33.85% 397 5,353
2023 335,088 11.25% 302 4,735
2024 433,527 34.01% 37 4,659
2025 423,144 2.39% 1,163 4,277

Busiest routes

Busiest routes from CTM (Jan–Dec 2025)[9]
Rank Airport Passengers
1 Mexico City, Mexico City 171,649
2 Mexico City–AIFA, State of Mexico 37,020
3 Cancún, Quintana Roo 371

Accidents and incidents

On January 6, 1972, a Hawker Siddeley HS.748-230 belonging to SAESA (Servicios Aereos Especiales Airlines) crashed shortly after take-off from Chetumal on its way to Mérida, killing five crew members and 18 passengers.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Estadística Operacional de Aeropuertos / Statistics by Airport". Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Mexicana Wins Legal Shield to Aid Mexican Bankruptcy". Bloomberg. August 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  3. ^ Arranca modernizacion del Aeropuerto Internacional de Chetumal "Arranca modernización del Aeropuerto internacional de Chetumal. | MarQtips". Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013 (In Spanish)
  4. ^ No más vuelos de aeroméxico en Chetumal Archived February 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved on March 31, 2013 (In Spanish)
  5. ^ "Exclusive: Aeroméxico will fly to Chetumal from June" (in Spanish). Transponder 1200. March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Mexicana De Aviación To Rely On Military Aircraft For The Start Of Its Commercial Launch ?".
  7. ^ "Mexicana begins ticket sales; TAR will operate 6 destinations". El Financiero (in Spanish). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Cancun Airport's Link to Maya Train: Construction Set to Start Soon".
  9. ^ "Estadística operacional por origen-destino / Traffic Statistics by City Pairs" (in Spanish). Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. January 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Accident". Aviation Safety Network. January 1972. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
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