**Fog Affects 63 Flights at Tijuana International Airport**
On Tuesday, October 8, dense fog enveloped the Tijuana International Airport, causing disruptions to 63 flights. Both departures and arrivals were delayed, as confirmed by Carlos Francisco Salgado de la Peña, director of the airport authority. Despite the inconvenience, de la Peña praised the airlines for their efforts to protect passengers during the delays.
“The airport is now operating normally since 7 a.m., with no ongoing delays for either incoming or outgoing flights,” stated de la Peña. In parallel, the 2024 Consultative Commission held a meeting to discuss recent developments in the airport’s infrastructure.
The Pacific Airport Group (GAP) announced the addition of four international routes to the existing network of 35 domestic connections. Current international destinations from Tijuana include Beijing with Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen with China Southern, Phoenix, Arizona with American Airlines, and a new route to Las Vegas, Nevada with Volaris commencing on October 29.
In 2023, Tijuana International Airport handled 13.2 million passengers, with 9.29 million travelers from January to September 2024. The airport has undertaken 67,485 operations in 2024, showcasing continued growth.
Under the “Master Development Plan 2020-2024,” GAP has invested approximately 4,793 million pesos into the airport’s renovation. Key projects include a new 40,000-square-meter terminal building, which increased the airport’s area by 83%, expansion of commercial and general aviation platforms, construction and rehabilitation of taxiways, runway refurbishment, and environmental investments.
Recent upgrades in 2024 included operational facilities for international arrivals, a long-stay car park, expanded luggage check areas, a new building for national defense, and installation of updated equipment such as two self-service bag drops. However, despite these enhancements, passenger traffic saw a 7% decrease from the same period in 2023. The director attributes this decline to the inspection of Pratt and Whitney engines among Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, which reduced seat availability.
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**Secondary Article: U.S. Border Airports Face Similar Delays**
Fog is not just affecting flights in Tijuana. Similar conditions have impacted operations in several U.S. border airports, causing delays, and cancellations, and significantly affecting passenger itineraries. Airports across Southern California and Arizona reported comparable flight disruptions due to adverse weather conditions in the region.
Weather-related disruptions remind operators and passengers alike of the challenges in maintaining schedules during such conditions. Authorities at affected airports urge travelers to check flight statuses and remain in contact with airlines for real-time updates. This phenomenon, caused by seasonal weather changes, is common during this time of year, reinforcing the need for efficient communication and collaborative efforts to minimize passenger impact.
Efforts are underway across different airport groups to implement advanced forecasting and mitigation strategies, ensuring traveler safety without compromising efficiency.