ASUR announces Cancun expansion

John Gallagher

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The airport operator is to almost treble capacity at the biggest airport in its network over the next four years

Mexican airport operator ASUR is to invest $95.3m at Cancun International airport over the next 4 years. The company is to work on building an additional runway, renovating and expanding both terminals and improving cargo facilities

ASUR's principal shareholder Fernando Chico Pardo said the objective was to increase the airport's capacity from 10m to more than 27m passengers per year. He argued that the new expansion plan dispelled the need for a second airport that some local entrepreneurs have been campaigning for near the Playa del Carmen resort area.

"With the second runway, there is no need for an alternative airport in the area, as long as ground transport facilities are improved," said Pardo.

ASUR recently announced a $2m feasibility study for a light train linking the airport to the Cancun and Riviera Maya tourist areas. The study is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2005.

Since ASUR took over the management of the airports in 1998 more than $147.3m have been invested in the airport network, with more than 53% of the investment at Cancun. Mexican president Vicente Fox officially opened the recently completed renovation work at terminal two at the end of November.