Mexico Air Arrivals Fall 2.3% as Outbound Travel Hits Record

Mexico saw a 2.3% decrease in international air arrivals between January and August 2025, welcoming 15.5 million visitors by air out of a total 31.5 million tourists, according to Francisco Madrid Flores, Director, Sustainable Tourism Advanced Research Center (STARC Anáhuac Cancún).

The figures, presented during a National Business Tourism Council (CNET) videoconference, are part of the report “Tourism Perspective: A Reference for Better Decision-Making in the Tourism Sector,” prepared by CNET and STARC.

Madrid Flores noted that air travelers generate 81.2% of total tourism revenue, spending an average of US$1,178 per person, far above land tourists (US$343) or cruise passengers (US$83).

The United States remained Mexico’s top source of international air visitors, with 9.5 million travelers—a 1.3% increase from 2024—followed by Canada (1.86 million, +11.2%) and Argentina (248,200). Arrivals from Colombia dropped 26.3%, while France, Chile, and Germany also reported declines. Brazil and Peru exited the top 10 source markets after visa requirements were reinstated.

Outbound tourism reached record levels, with 5.2 million Mexicans traveling abroad, up 8.4% year-over-year. The United States accounted for 43% of these trips, followed by Spain and Canada.

STARC projects 47.7 million international visitors for 2025, up 6% annually, with tourism revenues expected to exceed US$35 billion.