GAP Expands Water Reuse as Climate Risks Reshape Airports

GAP reports it met 55% of its total water use in 2025, while strengthening resilience to climate and water stress. Serving 63.7 million passengers, the company consumed 1.2 billion liters of water, with 72% used in Mexico. Under its 2025–2029 Sustainability Plan, GAP aims to cut water use intensity per passenger by 20% and source 30% of water from alternatives by 2029. 

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) treated 722ML of wastewater in 2025, equivalent to 55% of the total water used across its airport operations, as the company strengthened water security and operational resilience amid growing climate variability and water stress. The initiative supported a network that served 63.7 million passengers during the year and forms part of GAP's broader sustainability strategy to diversify water sources and reduce freshwater dependence.

The company's airports consumed approximately 1.2BL of water in 2025, with 72% used at its 12 airports in Mexico and the remaining 28% at its operations in Jamaica. "At GAP, we understand that responsible water management is a fundamental part of our commitment to sustainability and our long-term vision. Therefore, we continue strengthening water treatment, efficient consumption, and the diversification of supply sources. The 722ML treated during 2025 reflect concrete progress toward increasingly resilient airports that are better prepared for the future," says Raúl Revuelta, CEO, GAP.

As part of its water management strategy, GAP implemented a standardized management tool across its Mexican airports to prioritize water-related investments based on operational risk. The framework focuses on three pillars: securing water supply, improving consumption efficiency through early leak detection and preventive maintenance, and promoting circularity through wastewater reuse.

GAP reports that its 12 airports have wastewater treatment plants. During 2025, the company upgraded these facilities by incorporating advanced filtration systems, nanofiltration technology, sludge management processes and expanded distribution networks to increase the use of treated water in restrooms, irrigation systems and other operational services.

Under its 2025-2029 Sustainability Plan, GAP established two water-related targets: reducing water consumption intensity per passenger by at least 20% compared to the 2024 baseline and ensuring that at least 30% of its water supply comes from alternative sources, including rainwater harvesting and treated wastewater, by 2029.

The company's strategy reflects growing attention to water security within Mexico's transportation infrastructure sector, where airports face increasing exposure to drought, climate variability and rising passenger demand. Expanding wastewater treatment and reuse has become a key operational measure to reduce dependence on conventional water sources while supporting business continuity.

Airports Shift Toward Integrated Water Management Strategies

The water management initiatives implemented by GAP align with a broader global trend in the airport industry, where terminals are adopting circular water strategies to reduce pressure on freshwater resources, improve operational resilience, and support long-term sustainability goals. 

In Costa Rica, the Juan Santamaría International Airport has advanced a water management model that enables the reuse of approximately 90,000L of treated water per day, equivalent to the daily consumption of around 450 people. The initiative, led by airport operator AERIS, aims to reduce dependence on potable water sources while supporting airport expansion. During 2025, 100% of the samples analyzed from the airport’s stormwater drainage systems complied with national environmental standards, confirming the absence of hydrocarbon contamination and supporting measures to prevent pollutants from reaching nearby aquifers and water bodies.

Meanwhile, at Istanbul Airport, treated wastewater is reused across airport facilities, with 35% of total water consumption supplied through reclaimed water sources. The airport has also implemented rainwater and biologically treated water reuse projects for non-potable applications such as cooling systems and irrigation, with the objective of reducing dependence on municipal water supplies.

These initiatives reflect a shift in airport sustainability strategies from general environmental commitments toward measurable water management systems supported by infrastructure, monitoring, and performance indicators.