Acapulco airport has resumed domestic flights and ended the humanitarian air bridge service, which provided relief after the destruction caused by Hurricane Otis.
The airport’s commercial operations restarted at 7 a.m. on Monday, 17 Nov., according to a press release by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT). For now, the airport remains closed to international flights.
Acapulco airport first reopened on Oct. 27, two days after the Category 5 hurricane ripped through the Pacific resort town, causing around US $15 billion of damage and leaving 100 people dead or missing. For 17 days it was used only as a humanitarian air bridge to evacuate people from the area and to bring in medical personnel and supplies.
According to SICT, 4,077 people were evacuated via the air bridge, while 617 doctors, technicians and support personnel were flown in alongside 18 tonnes of technical equipment and supplies. A total of 78 air operations were carried out, with Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all contributing with free flights to Mexico City for those affected by Otis.
Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all run domestic routes to Acapulco; however, Volaris has announced that its commercial flights will remain suspended until further notice.
Since the hurricane, authorities have been working to repair the damage caused to airport infrastructure, including re-fencing 3.5 kilometers of the perimeter, fixing the roof of the terminal building, refitting the control tower cabin, and ensuring a stable supply of electricity, water and air conditioning.
On Sunday, Mexico’s air traffic control agency (Seneam) announced that it has regained the necessary operational control to allow the airport to safely resume commercial operations. However, the international baggage belts will temporarily operate as the only baggage claim hall.
On the ground in Acapulco, bars and restaurants have tentatively started to reopen, while business leaders have predicted that hotels will start reopening by Dec. 15.
With reports from La Jornada and El Universal
“ bars and restaurants have tentatively started to reopen, while business leaders have predicted that hotels will start reopening by Dec. 15.”
Really … what planet are they living on😱
I just spent 7 days in Acapulco and what you see in the photos and videos doesn’t reflect the reality…
It is clear that the govt is not providing enough support … dreams announced reopening on Dec 2026..that speaks the truth… I love acapulco and hope that this is a renaissance to a beautiful city and people
I was 37 years old when my husband and I and 2 friends…LANDED IN MEXICO CITY! Then “On to Puerto Vallarta” and ON TO THE KINGDOM OF ACAPULCO! And THAT’S WHERE my love affair with Acapulco began! My husband, thereafter opted out..so I took my 2 daughters a few times! NOTHING was going to keep me from going AGAIN, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND FOR FOREVER! Year after year, after year…I went and made new American friends…that I would meet me in Aca in February! Only facing Cancer surgery 3 TIMES kept me away “that particular year!” BOOM! Back in Acapulco, even in off season if I had to! MET a special man (after my divorce!) and for 20 odd years we went together! Only cancer “got in my way” a few times…I wouldn’t let it take away my love for Mexico, its people, its Flamenco, its food, and SO, SO MUCH MORE! Now, don’t let me forget the BULL FIGHTS OF MEXICO CITY AND EVEN IN ACAPULCO! So many, many, new friends made over all these years…even American’s that lived in Aca, in their Condo’s or in their own Villas for weeks at a time or permanently lived there, after their retirement in the States! I miss those wonderful, atmospheric Restaurants in the hills “under the HUGE CROSS” also! Americans started leaving Aca for Puerto Vallarta and other Mexican resorts and IT WAS THEN THAT ACAPULCO GOT DANGEROUS AND SPRING BREAKERS DIDN’T COME anymore! AND NOW..HERE WE ARE! GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF ACAPULCO…AND ALL MY FRIENDS WHO WORKED THE FIESTA AMERICANA HOTEL…MAY GOD PROTECT THEM….AND HELP REBUILD THIS ONCE GREAT AND GLAMOUR CAPITAL OF MEXICO!