Mar de Cortés International Airport

Puerto Peñasco
International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional de
Puerto Peñasco
Summary
Airport typePublic
Owner/OperatorGrupo Vidanta
ServesPuerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico
Built2009
Time zoneMST (UTC−07:00)
Elevation AMSL27 m / 89 ft
Coordinates31°21′7.2″N 113°18′20.2″W / 31.352000°N 113.305611°W / 31.352000; -113.305611
Websitewww.aeropuertomardecortes.com/index_eng.html
Map
PPE is located in Sonora
PPE
PPE
Location of airport in Sonora
PPE is located in Mexico
PPE
PPE
PPE (Mexico)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
18/36 2,560 8,399 Concrete
Statistics (2021)
Total passengers1,886
Ranking in MexicoN/A
Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil

Puerto Peñasco International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Puerto Peñasco); officially Aeropuerto Internacional Mar de Cortés (Mar de Cortés International Airport) (IATA: PPE, ICAO: MMPE) is an international airport located in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico. It serves domestic flights and general aviation activities in Puerto Peñasco. The airport is owned by Grupo Vidanta. It derives its name from Mar de Cortés (Sea of Cortés), a common term in Spanish for the Gulf of California.

Puerto Peñasco Airport stands as the first fully privately funded airport in Mexico. In 2021, it recorded 1,886 passengers, as reported by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (Mexican Federal Aviation Administration).

History

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The initial airfield in Puerto Peñasco commenced operations in the 1940s, primarily serving as a stopover on Mexicana de Aviación's route from Mexico City to Mexicali and featuring a telegraph office. In 1973, a larger airfield with a small terminal was established, achieving official international airport status in 1994. Before this designation, pilots had to navigate immigration and customs processes in Nogales or Mexicali.[1]

In 2005, Grupo Vidanta carried out significant enhancements at the older airfield, investing in runway and ramp repaving, terminal expansion, parking facilities, perimeter fencing, and improved signage. Simultaneously, a more expansive commercial airport was developed 10 miles east of the existing airfield.[1] The current airport was inaugurated on November 5, 2009, and officially opened to the public on October 31, 2009, serving as a Mexican Airport of Entry (M-AOE).[2] Consequently, the original airfield ceased operations.[3][4]

Over the years, the airport has experienced intermittent service by regional airlines, offering seasonal flights within the region. Aeroméxico served the route Hermosillo-Puerto Peñasco-Las Vegas from 2013 to 2014.[5] TAR Aerolíneas provided domestic flights in 2016.[6] Aéreo Servicio Guerrero also offered services to Hermosillo, and Calafia Airlines to Tijuana, La Paz, and Loreto.

Facilities

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The airport is situated in La Jolla de Cortés, a 15-minute drive from Puerto Peñasco city center. It is located 5 minutes from major hotel and condominium developments along the Sea of Cortés.[7] Covering an area of 500 hectares (1,200 acres) at an elevation of 27 metres (89 ft) above mean sea level, the airport features a single concrete runway, designated as 18/36.[8] This runway spans 2,560 metres (8,400 ft) in length and is 60 metres (200 ft) wide, marking it as the fourth runway in Mexico entirely constructed with concrete provided by Cemex. The airport received the prize Premio Obras Cemex in 2007.[9] The commercial aviation apron offers three parking positions for narrow-body aircraft and additional stands for general aviation.[10]

The passenger terminal, a single-story structure, serves both domestic arrivals and departures.[11] It comprises a check-in area, a security checkpoint, and an arrivals hall equipped with baggage claim facilities, car rental services, and taxi stands. The departures concourse houses two gates with direct access to the apron, allowing passengers to board planes by walking directly to the aircraft. Adjacent facilities include parking areas, civil aviation hangars, administration offices, courier and logistics facilities, as well as facilities for general aviation.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "About Mar De Cortes International Airport". Aeropuerto Mar de Cortés. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Reunión de gobernadores fronterizos México- Estados Unidos". Blogs.periodistadigital.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  3. ^ Alvarado, Mariana (28 October 2009). "Rocky Point airport to open next week for private flights". Azstarnet.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Inicia Operaciones El Aeropuerto Internacional Mar De Cortes - Puerto Peñasco". Visitapenasco.com.mx. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Aeroméxico suspends Puerto Peñasco flight". Rocky Point 360. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  6. ^ "TAR Airlines to begin flights to Puerto Peñasco". Puerto Peñasco 360. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Entre dichos, frases e infraestructura". CNNExpansion.com. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  8. ^ [1] Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ [2] Archived September 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Busca operador para el nuevo aeropuerto - Obras". CNNExpansion.com. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  11. ^ "Habrá nuevo aeropuerto en Mar de Cortés - Negocios". CNNExpansion.com. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
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