Palenque International Airport Explained

Palenque International Airport
Nativename:Spanish; Castilian: {{small|Aeropuerto Internacional de Palenque
Iata:PQM
Icao:MMPQ
Type:Public
Operator:Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica
City-Served:Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico
Metric-Elev:y
Elevation-M:50.3
Pushpin Map:Chiapas#Mexico
Pushpin Label:PQM
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:10/28
R1-Length-M:2500
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2023
Stat1-Header:Total passengers
Stat1-Data:4,028
Stat2-Header:Ranking in Mexico
Stat2-Data:58th 4
Footnotes:Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil[1]
Timezone:CST

Palenque International Airport (Spanish; Castilian: Aeropuerto Internacional de Palenque) is an international airport in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico. It serves international air traffic for the northern Chiapas region, including Palenque, serving domestic flights and supporting tourism, flight training, and general aviation activities.

Previously managed by Grupo Aeroportuario de Chiapas, the airport has been operated by Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (GAFSACOMM) since 2023, a holding company owned by the Mexican military. In terms of passenger traffic, the airport handled 4,028 passengers in 2023.

Officially inaugurated on March 13, 2014, the airport replaced an older facility located 3 km east. Interjet initiated bi-weekly service to Mexico City on that date, resulting in increased traffic to 18,148 passengers in 2015.[2] The airport was declared international in 2016.[3]

Over the years, regional airlines have provided occasional charter or limited commercial service to the airport. Calafia Airlines briefly operated the Puebla - Tuxtla Gutiérrez - Palenque - Cancún route in 2018. Magnicharters has also served occasional charter flights to Monterrey.[4]

The Interjet service continued until its bankruptcy in 2020, and the airport was left without any regular scheduled service for nearly four years until Mexicana launched a new service in January 2024 [5]

Facilities

The airport is situated at an elevation of above mean sea level, covering an area of . It features a single asphalt runway, designated as 10/28, measuring . The commercial aviation apron spans, featuring three parking positions for narrow-body aircraft and additional stands for general aviation. Official operating hours are from 9:00 to 18:00.

The passenger terminal caters to both domestic arrivals and departures in a single-story structure. It includes check-in areas, a security checkpoint, a baggage claim area, and an arrivals hall. The departures concourse includes three gates with direct access to the apron, allowing passengers to board their planes by walking to the aircraft. Adjacent facilities include parking areas, civil aviation hangars, administration offices, courier and logistic facilities, and facilities for general aviation.

On 1 January 2024, the new Tren Maya station called Palenque Train Station (Spanish; Castilian: Estación de Palenque), situated from the airport grounds opened, aiming to establish connectivity with the Yucatán Peninsula, including Tulum International Airport, Cancun International Airport, and other key tourist destinations in southeastern Mexico.[6]

Airlines and destinations

Destinations map

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Estadística Operacional de Aeropuertos / Statistics by Airport. Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. January 26, 2024.
  2. Web site: .:Portal SCT:.: Estadística . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120717092820/http://www.sct.gob.mx/transporte-y-medicina-preventiva/aeronautica-civil/estadistica/ . 2012-07-17 . 2016-02-02.
  3. Web site: SCT da a conocer la declaración de internacionalización del Aeropuerto de Palenque . gob.mx . 2016-12-19.
  4. Web site: January 2023 . Estadística Operacional de los Aeropuertos de la Red ASA . January 15, 2023 . Spanish.
  5. Web site: Got 1 min? Palenque airport reopens with Mexicana flight . mexiconewsdaily.com . 2024-02-08.
  6. Web site: Mexico's Tren Maya project opens next section to Palenque. Railway Technology. 8 March 2024.