Puebla’s airport will spend 420 million pesos on expansion to accommodate 12 new routes

The Puebla International Airport is preparing for a 420 million-peso face-lift ahead of increased flight schedules expected to include at least 12 new domestic and international routes.

In a related development, local businesses have announced plans to develop a hotel, a shopping center and a bus terminal at the airport and three investment groups have already submitted letters of intent to the state Economic Development Ministry (Sedetra).

Puebla’s airport is operating at very low capacity, so the 420 million-peso renovation and expansion can be seen as a step toward a turnaround. (Cuartroscuro)

Sedetra Minister Víctor Gabriel Chedraui said the state government will allocate 300 million pesos (US $17.3 million) for the airport expansion. The remaining 120 million pesos (US $6.9 million) will be contributed by the National Guard, through Grupo Mundo Maya, a government-owned tourism network operated by the Defense Ministry.

The funds will reinforce airport infrastructure — including runway expansion — providing “a dignified entrance to the region for visitors.” The renovations are also designed to strengthen connectivity, attract more tourism and boost economic development in the state.

The airport — which Chedraui said is operating at only 10% of capacity — is located in Huejotzingo, about 30 minutes northwest of downtown Puebla city, the state capital.

Some construction is expected to begin this month, with Chedraui saying initial results “should be evident before the end of the first half of 2026.”

Additionally, state officials are negotiating with several airlines to open new routes, with the hope that some could be operational in June. 

Among the international routes being sought are flights to and from Houston, Los Angeles and New Jersey. El Economista newspaper reported that new domestic routes will connect Puebla to Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Chiapas), Villahermosa (Tabasco), Huatulco (Oaxaca), San José del Cabo (Baja California Sur), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco) and Zihuatanejo (Guerrero).

As part of the development plan, the state government invited the private sector to invest in the area, even suggesting it might offer to provide matching funds. “We will provide [investors] with every possible support for development projects at the airport,” Governor Alejandro Armenta said.

“We will provide [investors] with every possible support for development projects at the airport,” Governor Alejandro Armenta said.

Armenta laid the groundwork for the airport renovation project last year when he met with the director of Grupo Mundo Maya, General Adolfo Héctor Tonatiuh Velasco, convincing him to participate in the funding efforts. 

With reports from El Economista, El Sol de Puebla and El Universal

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