Chichen Itza airport to relaunch?
Investors with Zenith Aero have announced plans to modernize and re-launch the Chichen Itza airport.
In an interview with A21MX, Fernando Rodríguez, legal counsel for Zenith Aero, said the company was working to procure all necessary permits and a fleet of six ATR 72 aircraft. Mr. Rodríguez also noted that Zenith Aero was seeking partnerships with domestic and international charter operators such as Aeormar and Volaris.
The airport began operations in the year 2000, but a lack of flights forced it to suspend virtually all operations by 2017.
According to El Financiero, as of 2016 the Yucatán state run airport was left with a debt of 27 million pesos.
Initially it was hoped that the airport could relaunch as early as June 2018, but as of yet no new date has been announced. The airport would serve small private planes including cargo carriers because of its equidistant location from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Armando Bojórquez Patrón, president of Latin America’s tourism and culture association, recently suggested the state government rename the airport Aeropuerto Internacional de Chichen Itza. For now, its official name is Aeropuerto Internacional de Kaua.
With a 2.8-kilometer runway, the airport is able to accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 737. It has also received performers such as Elton John and Plácido Domingo. The airport is also featured in the 2016 short film “Emoción” directed by Carlos Martínez Trujillo.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a journalist, photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway.
