SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — During the first nine months of the year, 9.5 million passengers traveled through Tijuana International Airport, representing a 2 percent increase when compared to the same time period last year.
Airport director Carlos Salgado de la Peña told the El Sol Newspaper in Tijuana, that the facility continues to show growth in spite of uncertain times.
“We’re doing well, and we’re doing a lot to improve the airport,” he said.
Salgado de la Peña stated the airport is investing 30 million pesos, about $1.6 million on a new Instrument Landing System that will allow for flight operations to continue in bad weather, especially under foggy conditions.
“This year, there have been at least 14 days when fog has impacted flights in Tijuana. That’s about 5 percent of our total number of flights.”
The new system should be operational by the beginning of next year.
Gates are also being remodeled to expedite boarding times, said Salgado de la Peña, adding that it will increase boarding capacity by 50 percent and will be done by the beginning of 2029.
He said other projects in the works for the airport include water delivery infrastructure to reduce the amount of water used throughout the facility, as well as low-flow toilets and faucets that will reduce water consumption by 480 cubic meters daily.
“Passengers won’t even notice the changes. Most of the new water-related work will be done in the bathrooms; it will save 20-30 percent of water usage,” Salgado de la Peña said.
Tijuana’s airport is the fifth busiest in Mexico and holds the 16th position in Latin America.
It handles around 360 daily flights and is a popular gateway to Mexico for many Southern Californians due to its proximity to the border and generally cheaper fares.
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