The major tourist destination of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, and the northern city of Ensenada, Baja California, could have new airports in the near future according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT).
The SICT has requested over 15 million pesos (US $860,415) from the Finance Ministry to conduct feasibility studies, as part of a plan to strengthen the country’s airport network.
“These studies will include surveys to determine the groundwater level and soil layers’ capacity to support the buildings as well as carrying out foundation solution proposals,” the Minister of the SICT Jorge Nuño announced during his appearance in the Chamber of Deputies on Dec. 6.
“Both projects include a study that outlines the development of airport infrastructure in short, medium, and long-term phases,” Nuño added. The feasibility studies are expected to be completed by August.
Both cities have been on the radar for their own airports since earlier this year.
Ensenada’s close proximity to the United States means it could benefit from the nearshoring boom the region is experiencing and while it does have a military base for civil aviation, the site is unsuitable for larger aircraft.
San Miguel de Allende is a major national and international tourist destination whose air connectivity is mostly limited to the Querétaro and Bajío airports, located over an hour’s drive away.
However, independent aviation analyst Juan Antonio José told news outlet T21 that neither of the projects has potential for profitability since San Miguel de Allende is close to two existing international airports, while Ensenada is located near the international airport in Tijuana.
Mayor Mauricio Trejo and buddies stole all the Tourism money for the SMA airport in 2013. They heed MORE!
sorry, can you prove that?
Two airports within one hour of San Miguel. Why build one more? Waste of money.
As a long time resident of San Miguel I hope that this plan is defeated. Perhaps UNESCO may have some influence on this. There is way too much development going on in San Miguel right now. There is a water scarcity crisis imminent. But the one thing we have not had is “flyover” noise…a real blessing thus far. It is a minor hassle to go to León or Queretaro but totally worth it to preserve the silent skies above San Miguel. PLEASE don’t turn San Miguel into another Aspen or Vail with millionaires jetting in and driving up prices to where the locals will have to live 30 miles away in Celaya or Dolores! Basta ya!
concurr
“PLEASE don’t turn San Miguel into another Aspen or Vail with millionaires jetting in and driving up prices to where the locals will have to live 30 miles away in Celaya or Dolores! Basta ya!”
Um… That’s an interesting perspective. 25% of the population of the city are foreign including everyone answering in this comment section but please don’t let foreigners with even more money come or the last group if foreigners won’t be able to afford it.
The affordability ship has already sailed.
Spot on!
Though I’m surprised that only 25% of the population are foreigners.
Cuernavaca’s existing airport would rescue Mexico City from such a crowded airport. Sad if San Miguel gets one.
Not sure I like this. I grew up watching Philadelphia’s airport become an international airport and the development. Not always good. Here is San Miguel de Allende we often are at odds with development and overdevelopment versus the World Heritage City model. City Miguel faces serious issues of water, traffic, pollution, rampant overdevelopment and a creeping gentrification.
Perhaps an ex urban transit hub outside of San Miguel. International flights, intercity buses and maybe even a rail line would bring tourist in and have less traffic, parking and other problems.
Have lived here for 16 years and believe this project could help preserve the historic city.