Mérida Airport posted strong growth, handling 357,388 passengers and registering a 12.9% increase year-on-year as demand from the United States and domestic markets rises.
Summary: Mérida’s Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID) recorded 357,388 passengers, a 12.9% increase year‑on‑year, led by a 13.4% rise in domestic travel and a 9.7% uptick in international arrivals.
Mérida Airport has emerged as Mexico’s fastest-growing air facility early in 2026, reflecting stronger demand from domestic travellers and rising interest from the United States and other overseas markets. The surge highlights Mérida’s growing appeal for both leisure and business visitors.
Record passenger growth at MID
In the most recent reporting period, Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID) handled 357,388 passengers, up from 316,481 in the same period last year — a year‑over‑year increase of 12.9 percent. That percentage growth positions MID as the country’s top performer by growth rate.
- Total passengers: 357,388 (vs 316,481 last year) — +12.9%
- Domestic passengers: 315,955 (up from 278,728) — +13.4%
- International passengers: 41,433 (up from 37,753) — +9.7%
Domestic travel fuels the expansion
Most of the growth came from within Mexico. Domestic traffic increased by 13.4 percent as carriers added capacity and more direct connections from major hubs such as Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. Easier scheduling and increased frequency have made Mérida more accessible to Mexican travellers for both short breaks and business trips.
International demand gains momentum
Although international flyers remain a smaller portion of total passengers, MID saw a 9.7 percent rise in overseas arrivals, reaching 41,433 visitors. The increase reflects growing interest from the United States and other foreign markets in Mérida and the wider Yucatán Peninsula as alternatives to more crowded beach resorts.
Why travellers are choosing Mérida
Mérida’s cultural assets and proximity to natural and archaeological attractions are attracting visitors seeking more than traditional resort experiences. Colonial architecture, a growing culinary scene, nearby cenotes and Mayan sites have made the city a compelling alternative to Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
- Cultural and culinary appeal
- Access to cenotes and archaeological sites
- Less crowded alternative to eastern Caribbean resorts
- Improved direct flight options
Infrastructure and hospitality investment
The airport’s strong performance coincides with a broader push in Mérida to expand hotel capacity and diversify accommodation offerings, including boutique properties and upscale resorts. Airlines have responded with more routes and frequencies, reinforcing Mérida’s role as a regional gateway.
Outlook for Mérida and the Yucatán
With continued investment in connectivity and hospitality, Mérida appears set to maintain its upward trajectory. The combination of growing domestic demand and steady international interest suggests the airport and the city could consolidate their status as a major tourism and business hub in the Yucatán Peninsula.
Why this matters: For travellers, the airport’s expansion means more direct flight options and better access to cultural and natural attractions without the crowds of larger resort areas. For airlines and hoteliers, MID’s growth signals profitable demand and opportunities to expand services across the region.
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