Monterrey International Airport

General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional General Mariano Escobedo), simply known as Monterrey International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional de Monterrey), is an international airport located in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico, serving Greater Monterrey. It operates flights to Mexico, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe. The airport serves as the main hub for Viva Aerobus, Magnicharters, and the regional carrier Aerus. It is also a focus city for Volaris, Aeromexico Connect, and the regional airline TAR Aerolíneas. The airport also serves cargo and charter flights, hosts facilities for Mexican Airspace Navigation Services, and facilitates various tourism-related activities, flight training, and general aviation. Monterrey Airport is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte OMA and it is named after General Mariano Escobedo, a prominent military figure born in Nuevo León.

In terms of passenger numbers and aircraft movements, Monterrey International Airport ranks as the fourth busiest airport in Mexico, holding the 12th position in Latin America and the 52nd position in North America. Furthermore, it stands at the fifth position in terms of cargo traffic in the country. Notably, the airport has experienced rapid growth, handling 10,943,186 passengers in 2022 and an increased number of 13,326,936 passengers in 2023, showcasing one of the fastest influx growth rates in recent years.

History
Inaugurated on November 25, 1970, the airport marked its beginning with the landing of a Mexicana de Aviación Boeing 727. Its establishment was prompted by the limitations and safety concerns of the Del Norte International Airport, which hindered further expansion. The initial terminal, now known as Terminal A, efficiently served 346,000 passengers in its inaugural year.

Responding to the increasing economic activity in Nuevo León, Monterrey Airport underwent a substantial expansion of its terminal building from 1976 to 1982. As part of this development, the Satellite Building was constructed, interconnected with the main terminal via an underground corridor. Over the years, these enhancements have contributed to the airport's role as a key transportation hub in Northern Mexico.

In the mid-2000s, Aeroméxico introduced significant international flights. From 2005 to 2009, Monterrey gained its first nonstop link to Europe with a flight to Madrid operated using a Boeing 767. Additional European connections included a flight to Rome from 2008 to 2009. Subsequently, in 2014, Monterrey witnessed its inaugural flight to Asia as Aeromexico transferred its Mexico City-Tokyo route stopover to Monterrey, replacing Tijuana Airport. A direct flight to Seoul Incheon Airport was also introduced. However, the only remaining overseas destination is the route to Madrid operated by Aeromexico.

In July 2022, Vinci Airports acquired a 30% stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte OMA, the entity responsible for overseeing 13 airports across Mexico. This strategic move showcased the airport's ongoing evolution within the broader landscape of aviation management.

Simultaneously, addressing the escalating demand for air travel, the Monterrey airport initiated a comprehensive renovation and expansion project for Terminal A in November 2019. This multifaceted project, executed in two phases, involves the enlargement of the departures concourse and check-in area, and the construction of Pier 1 with additional boarding gates. The subsequent phase encompasses the establishment of a new security checkpoint, Pier 2 with supplementary boarding gates, and the expansion of public areas, slated for completion by 2025.

Facilities
The airport is situated at an elevation of 390 m above mean sea level and features two runways. The primary runway, designated 11/29, boasts a 3000 by 45 m asphalt surface, equipped with an ILS approach system, VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR), and DME station. Another runway, 16/34, measuring 1800 by 30 m with an asphalt surface, is seldom used. Although the main runway, 11/29, can accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 747-400, the airport primarily serves narrow-body aircraft. There are three terminals:


 * Terminal A: 9 contact positions, 12 remote positions
 * Terminal B: 6 contact positions, 7 remote positions
 * Terminal C: 8 remote positions

Terminal A
Terminal A encompasses check-in facilities, baggage claim, shopping areas, restaurants, customs, airport and airline offices, and various services. The connected satellite building, accessed via an underground corridor, houses VIP lounges, customs and immigration services, and 14 boarding gates. The Satellite building is divided into North and South Concourses, catering to domestic and international flights, respectively.

Operational challenges, including delayed flights, stem from a reduced number of gates, jetbridges and hardstands capable of handling large aircraft. Terminals C and B serve as relief systems for Terminal A, and there are plans to remodel and expand the Satellite building, adding new jetbridges and remote hardstands.

Passengers in Terminal A can access lounges like American Express Centurion, Salón Beyond (Citibanamex), and the OMA Premium Lounge on the Ground Floor. Airlines serving Terminal A include Volaris, Magnicharters, Air Canada, American Airlines, American Eagle, Copa Airlines, and United Airlines.

Terminal B
Opened in September 2010, Terminal B is a two-story facility comprising eight gates, six of which are equipped with jetways, and two apron gates available for use by smaller aircraft. It can handle up to 2 million passengers annually. The terminal provides standard international airport services such as check-in areas, a security checkpoint, departures concourse, arrivals facilities with baggage claim areas, taxi stands, and car rental services. Terminal B also features multiple VIP lounges, including the Salón Premier of Aeroméxico on the Ground Floor, The American Express Centurión lounge on the landside, and the OMA Premium Lounge.

This terminal serves as a hub for SkyTeam, including the services of Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect and Delta Air Lines. Other airlines serving Terminal B are regional airlines TAR Aerolíneas and Aerus.

Terminal C
Opened on November 30, 2006, Terminal C serves as the primary hub for Viva Aerobus. The terminal, housed in a single-story building, features essential facilities. The departures area includes a check-in area, a security checkpoint, and a departures concourse with amenities such as a Duty-Free Store, an OMA Premium Lounge, and a food court. Services for arriving passengers include customs and immigration facilities, along with car rental services and taxi stands serving both Arrival and Departure Areas. Terminal C is currently grappling with overcrowding issues, largely due to Viva Aerobus operating its largest hub from this terminal.

Interterminal Shuttle
Free shuttle service is provided between Terminals A, B, and C at the Monterrey Airport from 5:00 to midnight, with an approximate waiting time of 10 minutes. Boarding areas are located at the main entrance of each terminal building.

Air Cargo Terminal
The recently built Air Cargo Terminal occupies 6 ha for its operations. This terminal serves courier companies, both nationally and internationally, with notable names such as FedEx, DHL, UPS, and Estafeta.

Other Facilities
The Airport Boulevard boasts a range of amenities, including hotels, restaurants, and diverse establishments. Notably, Viva Aerobus has its corporate headquarters in the Cargo Zone of Terminal C. Additionally, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte, the company managing the airport, also has its headquarters in the air cargo zone. The airport offers various facilities, including a general aviation terminal with a general aviation platform, a VIP lounge, a pilots' lounge, and a passenger lounge.

The airport hosts the Monterrey Area Control Center (ACC), one of four such centers in Mexico, alongside the Mexico City ACC, Mérida ACC, and Mazatlán ACC. Operated by the Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano), the Monterrey ACC provides air traffic control services for aircraft within the Monterrey Flight Data Region (FDRG), covering the northeastern region of Mexico. This region shares its boundaries with six other Area Control Centers. It borders the Mazatlán ACC to the west, the Houston ARTCC (KZHU) to the north, the Mexico ACC to the south, and the Mérida ACC to the east.

Ground transportation
Monterrey Airport is located 28 km northeast of Downtown Monterrey. The airport is accessible solely by road. Local bus, shuttle, and taxi services, as well as long-distance bus services to various cities in Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, and Texas, are available. The travel time by car is typically 30 minutes, but it can extend to 60 minutes during rush hours. The airport provides extensive short- and long-term parking facilities, and each terminal has multiple taxi and car rental service stands.

Local Bus
The Ruta Express, a public bus line, operates from the airport to Y-Griega Station on Line 1 of the Monterrey Metro. Gupo Senda, a bus company, offers services to the Y-Griega metro station and San Jerónimo Bus Station, while Noreste provides hourly services from Monterrey Airport to the Central Bus Station. Two bus stops are located at the airport: one between Terminal A and Terminal B and another in front of Terminal C. Tickets can be purchased at information desks in the terminals (130 MXN) or online through the website (110 MXN). The travel time by bus to Monterrey Central Bus Station, situated 3 kilometers northwest of Macroplaza, is approximately 60 minutes. From there, passengers can transfer to the Metro and long-distance bus services.

Private Shuttle
VivaBus offers shuttle transportation exclusively for Viva Aerobus passengers travelling to the Central Bus Station and Terminal Fierro (near Y-Griega Station). Transporte Aeroméxico provides hourly shuttle services from Terminal B to Y-Griega metro station, Garza Sada Bus Station, and Son Mar Hotel (located two blocks away from the Central Bus Station). Additionally, Aero Contaxi offers shuttle services from Terminal C to the Y-Griega metro station, Garza Sada Bus Station, and the Central Bus Station.

Long-Distance Bus
Various bus companies offer services to nearby cities, including Saltillo. Noreste operates coach buses with direct services to cities in Tamaulipas and Texas, while Senda provides coach buses with direct service to Saltillo, Monclova, Piedras Negras, and Ramos Arizpe in Coahuila, Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas, and Matehuala in San Luis Potosí.

Taxi
Golden offers taxi and van services throughout the metropolitan area, Suburban allows online reservations for taxis to and from Monterrey City. Airport-exclusive companies such as Taxi Aeropuerto provide services throughout the city. Taxis Aeropuerto Monterrey offers services to and from Monterrey Airport. Taxis Totsa provides taxi services throughout the metropolitan area and nearby municipalities, including Saltillo. TPA offers taxi and van services within the metropolitan area.

Accidents and incidents

 * On February 11, 2010, MexicanaClick de Aviación Flight 7222, operated by Fokker 100 XA-SHJ, suffered an undercarriage malfunction on approach to Quetzalcóatl International Airport, Nuevo Laredo. A low fly-past confirmed that both main gears had not deployed. The aircraft diverted to Monterrey. It was substantially damaged in the landing, having departed the runway and spun through 180°.
 * On April 13, 2010, an Aerounion – Aerotransporte de Carga Union Airbus A-300B4-200, registration XA-TUE performing a freight flight, AeroUnion Flight 302 from Mexico (Mexico) to Monterrey (Mexico) with five crew, crashed on approach to land on General Mariano Escobedo International Airport's runway 11. The aircraft came to rest on a highway at around 23:30L (04:30Z Apr 14). All on board died, one person in a truck on the highway was also reported killed, and the airplane was destroyed after a large fire broke out.
 * On November 24, 2010, a Mexican Air Force AN-32 cargo flight crashed when taking off from General Mariano Escobedo International Airport for a flight to Mexico City. All five crew members died.
 * On December 9, 2012, a Learjet 25 carrying Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera and four other passengers, and two crew crashed seven minutes after take-off, while on its way to Toluca. All seven occupants died.
 * On Thursday, March 18, 2021, Viva Aerobus flight 4343 from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, operated by an Airbus A320 jet, suffered a nose gear collapse after landing. The jet was substantially damaged, but there were no injuries among the 127 crew and passengers on board.