Monterrey Airport Targets 50% Cut in Wait Times by June 2026

The Monterrey International Airport plans to reduce wait times by up to 50% in security, check-in, baggage screening, immigration, and customs by June 2026 as part of an operational upgrade tied to the 2026 World Cup, according to Raful Zacarías, director, Airport Operations at Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA). Zacarías said the initiative is designed to manage the expected surge in international arrivals while delivering lasting improvements for travelers. 

OMA plans to deploy self-service check-in kiosks that eliminate the need for passengers to visit staffed counters to weigh or document luggage. The upgrade also includes new baggage scanners that do not require travelers to remove electronic devices. Zacarías explained that boarding-area inspection points will transition to automated processing, allowing passengers to scan their boarding passes at automated gates without direct interaction with personnel—a change expected to shorten queues.

For international arrivals, autonomous immigration filters will be installed in Terminals A and B. The system will allow travelers to complete immigration procedures independently, which OMA expects will accelerate passenger flow during peak hours. To manage congestion across processing areas, the airport will introduce real-time monitoring sensors in check-in zones and security inspection points. The sensors will alert airport staff when passenger volumes require operational adjustments.

The broader modernization project also includes an aircraft monitoring system, a new operational control center, expanded waiting and boarding areas in Terminals A and B, and new centerline lighting on the main runway. The airport has acquired five vehicles capable of transporting up to 60 passengers each to improve transfers between terminals and aircraft. Additionally, a new flight information system is being implemented as part of the upgrades.

According to state tourism officials, these improvements position Monterrey to absorb additional demand stemming from US airspace restrictions affecting Mexico City’s airport. They said the expanded infrastructure could support new arrivals and departures, complementing the national network and enabling Monterrey to handle routes that the capital may be unable to accommodate.