Tulum International Airport, launched with much fanfare in December 2023 as a convenient alternative to Cancún for travelers heading to Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is facing a decline in its initial flight momentum. Major U.S. and Canadian airlines, which had quickly established service, are now reducing or canceling some of their planned routes, indicating a recalibration of expectations.
Airlines Scale Back After Initial Push
Data from Cirium aviation suggests a continued downward trend in scheduled capacity for Tulum. Major carriers like American and United have trimmed their spring schedules to the airport. American Airlines, for instance, cut its flights to Tulum from 120 in April 2024 to 60 in April 2025. United also reduced its planned flights significantly, dropping from 94 to 60.
While Delta showed a modest year-over-year increase in flights, it also reduced seats on its April schedule. Air Canada has ended its Charlotte-Tulum service and removed plans to resume seasonal flights from Ottawa and Quebec City. The airline’s chief commercial officer, Mark Galardo, attributed this to the industry “put a lot of incremental capacity into Tulum” and carriers now “rationaliz[ing] a bit.”
Cancun’s Enduring Dominance in Regional Air Travel
A significant factor contributing to Tulum’s challenges is its location adjacent to Cancún, one of the hemisphere’s most established leisure travel gateways. Cancún boasts deep airline networks, strong brand recognition, and a long history as the primary airport for the Riviera Maya region.
Airport operator ASUR reported that Cancún was “slightly impacted by the initial ramp-up phase of the new Tulum airport,” with Tulum capturing approximately 1.2 million passengers from Cancún in 2024, and an additional 1.7 million projected for 2025. However, Cancún still handled 30.4 million passengers last year, highlighting its overwhelming dominance in regional air travel. ASUR anticipates traffic to “normalize in 2026 as the P&W effect dissipates and Tulum’s initial ramp-up concludes.”
What are your thoughts on the challenges facing Tulum International Airport? Do you think it will eventually compete with Cancun? Share your opinions in the comments below!