Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), one of Mexico’s leading airport operators, is preparing for a sharp increase in air traffic across its network. The company announced plans to invest over MXN 50 billion through 2029, aiming to handle 85 million passengers annually by the end of the decade—a 40% increase from the 66 million passengers recorded in 2025. The expansion reflects both a rebound in business travel and a sustained boom in tourism, particularly in Mexico’s coastal regions.
The centerpiece of GAP’s strategy is the expansion of Guadalajara International Airport, which is set to become a regional hub in western Mexico. The company expects the airport to eventually accommodate 40 million passengers annually, reinforcing its role as a key node in domestic and international connectivity. Tijuana’s airport is also slated for expansion, helping to absorb growing demand along the U.S.-Mexico border corridor.
Tourism remains the primary engine of growth. According to GAP, hotel construction is surging in destinations such as Los Cabos, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Nayarit—evidence of investor confidence in long-term tourism demand. These developments are translating into higher passenger volumes at nearby airports. Meanwhile, business travel is gradually recovering in central Mexico, particularly in the Bajío region, where industrial activity has remained resilient.
GAP’s long-term bet on infrastructure aligns with broader trends in aviation and regional development.
Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic from the United States continues to provide a stable base of demand. However, GAP acknowledges that restrictive immigration policies have dampened outbound travel from the U.S., posing a potential headwind. In contrast, Canadian tourism and robust domestic demand are helping to offset this softness, underscoring the importance of market diversification for airport operators.
Beyond Mexico, GAP is also extending its footprint in the Caribbean. The company has earmarked USD 118.1 million for infrastructure upgrades at Montego Bay’s airport in Jamaica. This move signals a broader regional strategy and suggests that GAP sees long-term value in cross-border airport assets, even amid global uncertainties in air travel patterns.
While the scale of GAP’s investment underscores confidence in future demand, execution risks remain. Delivering large-scale infrastructure projects on time and within budget requires careful coordination with regulators and local authorities. Moreover, the company’s passenger growth targets hinge on continued macroeconomic stability and sustained momentum in tourism development—both of which are vulnerable to external shocks.
Still, GAP’s long-term bet on infrastructure aligns with broader trends in aviation and regional development. As Mexico deepens its integration into global supply chains and tourism corridors, well-capitalized airport infrastructure will be essential to sustaining competitiveness. For investors and policymakers alike, GAP’s strategy offers a window into how private operators are positioning for the next phase of growth in Latin American aviation.
