GAP Reports Better Traffic in 1H2021, Still Below 2019’s Levels

This month, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) published its 1H2021 report, which shows a 37.8 percent increase in passenger traffic when compared to 2020. The group adds that this result was to be expected due to the impact of the pandemic on commercial air travel. However, passenger traffic during the first half of 2021 was still 23.4 percent below 1H2019, but GAP reports that this is a better than expected recovery as the industry had to handle international travel restrictions, according to its financial report.

During the 2Q2021, GAP’s 14 airports saw 9.37 million passengers in total, which is 9.6 percent less than in 2Q2019. In July, the airports of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Tijuana experienced a considerable increase in passenger traffic when compared to July 2019, with 14.4 percent, 11.1 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively. Whereas the airports of Guanajuato, Guadalajara and Hermosillo saw the most dramatic decreases, with 13.3 percent, 14.4 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively. In total, the 12 airports in Mexico registered a decrease in traffic of 1.6 percent when compared to the same month in 2019.

However, GAP sees this as a positive result as the group opened many routes during this period, both national and international. Domestic routes include La Paz-Mazatlan and Mexicali-Cancun. International routes include Guanajuato-Chicago, Hermosillo-Dallas, Los Cabos-Los Angeles and Los Cabos-New York.

According to GAP, results were positive, particularly regarding revenue. The group reported an increase of 229.7 percent in total revenue during its second-quarter when compared to 2Q2020. However, GAP plans to continue monitoring the effects of the pandemic on its operations and will continue to track important indicators to implement any measure necessary to preserve liquidity.

Airports and airport groups are extremely important to Mexico’s economy. “An airport is not only for those who travel. It is an important catalyst for development, representing significant economic revenue. An airport means more trade, more tourism, and more employment,” explained Ricardo Dueñas, CEO of OMA, in an interview with MBN. Low-cost airlines have had enormous participation in the positive numbers of the national sector, making an impact in the Mexican commercial air industry. “[L]ow-cost airlines have helped by offering flights at more attractive prices. They have also helped move the mindset away from buses and toward airports. In Mexico, low-cost airlines have experienced almost double-digit growth for the past seven years. It is a trend that is going to continue, and we are betting on this sector, without neglecting full-service airlines.”