Cancun Airport Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Passenger Numbers in September

Image: Busy Cancun Airport. (photo by Codie Liermann)
Image: Busy Cancun Airport. (photo by Codie Liermann)
Donald Wood
by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:44 AM ET, Thu October 7, 2021

Mexico's tourism industry continues to bounce back from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic by announcing one of the country's top coastal airports has surpassed pre-pandemic levels of passengers.

According to The Associated Press, officials from Cancun International Airport revealed the facility handled 1.66 million passengers in September, a 4.4 percent increase when compared to the same month in 2019.

Data from the Airports of the Southeast group-which runs the terminal at Cancun International-showed that only about 854,000 commercial airline passengers used the airport in September 2020.

Early data suggests it's "highly possible" that passenger levels at the Cancun airport in 2021 could equal or exceed the 2019 totals. The lack of quarantine or testing requirements for incoming passengers has helped the destination thrive despite the ongoing pandemic.

Last month, Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez announced popular destinations like Cancun and Riviera Maya welcomed a higher number of American tourists during the 2021 summer holiday travel season than before the coronavirus pandemic struck.

Joaquin Gonzalez said data from the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) and the National Migration Institute (INM) revealed 38 percent more travelers from the U.S. arrived in the Mexican state this year than in 2019.

In September, Playa Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corporation celebrated the official opening of the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun in the Mexican Caribbean.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Donald Wood

Donald Wood

Managing Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s Managing Editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children.

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Discover Europe: Passport to What’s NextThursday, October 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse as we Discover Europe, your passport to what’s...
Upcoming Webinar
Designed Together. Beyond Expectations. Discover Luxury Japan with BOUTIQUE JTBOctober 9, 2026Japan continues to captivate discerning travelers seeking authentic culture, extraordinary cuisine,...
Upcoming Webinar
New B2B Booking Platform for Travel AdvisorsWednesday, October 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Japan Airlines Vacations, the official vacation program of Japan Airlines, is launching a dedicated...
Upcoming Webinar
Discover Europe: Passport to What’s NextThursday, October 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse as we Discover Europe, your passport to what’s...
Upcoming Webinar
Designed Together. Beyond Expectations. Discover Luxury Japan with BOUTIQUE JTBOctober 9, 2026Japan continues to captivate discerning travelers seeking authentic culture, extraordinary cuisine,...
Upcoming Webinar
New B2B Booking Platform for Travel AdvisorsWednesday, October 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Japan Airlines Vacations, the official vacation program of Japan Airlines, is launching a dedicated...