SECTUR Projects 34 Million International Airline Seats in 2024

Mexico's tourism sector is gearing up for a significant influx of international travelers in 2024, with the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) announcing plans for over 34 million airline seats from various regions worldwide. This projection marks a 0.7% increase from the 2023 figure.

North America dominates the distribution of airline seats towards Mexico, with over 26 million seats scheduled for the year. This accounts for 77.8% of the total projected seats.

Contributing to the diverse mix of incoming travelers, the Caribbean, Central, and South America regions are expected to provide 4.4 million additional seats, constituting 13% of the total. Meanwhile, Europe will contribute 2.9 million seats (8.7%), with Asia and Oceania adding 193,025 seats (0.6%).

Airlines are already aligning their resources with these projections, with industry giants like American Airlines and Aeroméxico leading the charge. Together, they account for a significant portion of the anticipated seats, with American Airlines commanding 15.7% and Aeroméxico following closely at 14.7%.

In terms of airport capacity, Cancun emerges as the frontrunner, with 11.2 million international seats scheduled for 2024. The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) follows closely behind, with 9.9 million seats, while Guadalajara secures 3 million seats. Collectively, these airports encompass 70.5% of the total projected seats.

International routes to Mexico in 2024 include Dallas-Cancun, boasting 721,836 scheduled seats, Toronto-Cancun with 674,529 seats, and Madrid-AICM with 643,572 seats. 

According to the OAG and the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), in January 2024 alone, the country saw 3.4 million airline seats offered for international service. Of these, 2.6 million passengers were transported, representing 75% of the total seat supply.