General Mariano Escobedo International Airport Aeropuerto Internacional General Mariano Escobedo | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Monterrey Metropolitan Area | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Apodaca,Nuevo León,Mexico | ||||||||||||||
| Opened | November 25, 1970; 54 years ago (1970-11-25) | ||||||||||||||
| Hub for | |||||||||||||||
| Focus city for | TAR Aerolíneas | ||||||||||||||
| Operating base for | |||||||||||||||
| Time zone | CST (UTC-06:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 390 m / 1,280 ft | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 25°46′42″N100°06′23″W / 25.77833°N 100.10639°W /25.77833; -100.10639 | ||||||||||||||
| Website | www | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
  MTY/MMMY Location of the airport in Nuevo León Show map of Nuevo León MTY/MMMY MTY/MMMY (Mexico) Show map of Mexico | |||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2024) | |||||||||||||||
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| Source: Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte[1] | |||||||||||||||
Monterrey International Airport (Spanish:Aeropuerto Internacional de Monterrey); officiallyAeropuerto Internacional General Mariano Escobedo (General Mariano Escobedo International Airport) (IATA:MTY,ICAO:MMMY), is the primaryinternational airport servingGreater Monterrey,Nuevo León,Mexico. As of 2025, it ranksfourth in Mexico in passenger numbers, cargo, and aircraft movements,[2] and holds the13th position in Latin America and44th in North America by passenger volume, offering flights across Mexico,the Americas,Asia, andEurope.
The airport is the main hub forViva,Magnicharters, andAerus.[3] It also serves as a focus city forVolaris and hosts facilities for Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (SENEAM), supports tourism-related activities, and accommodates flight training and general aviation. Monterrey Airport is operated byGrupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) and is named after GeneralMariano Escobedo, a 19th-century military officer from Nuevo León. In 2024, it handled 13,581,599 passengers, up from 10,943,186 in 2022.[1]
The airport was inaugurated on November 25, 1970, with the landing of aMexicana de AviaciónBoeing 727. It was built to replace the nearbyDel Norte International Airport, whose limited safety infrastructure and surrounding urban growth prevented further expansion. The original terminal, now referred to as Terminal A, handled 346,000 passengers during its first year of operation.
Between 1976 and 1982, in response to Monterrey’s growing economic importance, the airport underwent its first major expansion. A satellite concourse was constructed and linked to the main building via an underground corridor. By the 1990s, the airport had become a regional hub forAerolitoral, the regional subsidiary ofAeroméxico, solidifying its role as a major transportation hub innorthern Mexico.
In the early 2000s, Monterrey served as a hub forAviacsa, which offered significant domestic and international routes. In 2006,Viva was established in Monterrey, marking a turning point as the airport diversified its operations with the introduction oflow-cost carriers and the expansion of cargo activity. Terminal C was inaugurated to accommodate the growing presence of low-cost carriers such as Interjet and Volaris.
As part of Aeroméxico’s broader international strategy, the airline launched new long-haul services from Monterrey. Between 2005 and 2009, the airport offered its first transatlantic link, a nonstop flight toMadrid operated withBoeing 767 aircraft.[4] A nonstop service toRome was offered from 2008 to 2009.[5][6] In 2010, Terminal B was opened to serve as a hub for Aeroméxico Connect. In 2014, Monterrey was incorporated into Aeroméxico’s Asia network when the airline shifted the stopover of itsMexico City–Tokyo Narita route fromTijuana to Monterrey. A service toSeoul Incheon was added as part of Aeroméxico’s Mexico City–Seoul route, stopping in Monterrey on the outbound leg (MEX–MTY–ICN), while the return flight operates nonstop to Mexico City (ICN–MEX).[7][8]
In 2019, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) launched a two-phase expansion project aimed at modernizing Terminal A and increasing airport capacity. With an investment of 4,245 million pesos (approximately USD230 million), the project includes new check-in areas and three piers with additional boarding gates, expanded baggage claim zones, and enhanced security facilities.[9] Upon completion, the airport’s annual capacity is expected to increase from 11 million to 16.5 million passengers. Although originally projected for completion in 2025, the timeline remains subject to delays.[10][11]
In July 2022,Vinci Airports acquired a 30% stake inGrupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA), which has operated 13 airports across northern and central Mexico since 1995. The transaction marked a significant shift in the management and international integration of Mexican airport infrastructure.[12]
In December 2023, the extension ofMetro Line 6 to Monterrey International Airport was officially announced. Construction of the new Airport Station began on April 3, 2024. The project is intended to enhance the airport’s connectivity to the urban fabric of Monterrey and to support increased traffic during the2026 FIFA World Cup.[13]
Regional airline Aerus began operations at Monterrey International Airport in 2023, establishing a hub with domestic and short-haul international routes. In 2025, Spanish flag carrierIberia announced the launch of a nonstop service between Monterrey and Madrid, set to begin on June 2, 2026, marking its second destination in Mexico after Mexico City.[14][15]
The airport is located inApodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico, at anelevation of 390 metres (1,280 ft) abovemean sea level, and features tworunways. The primary runway, designated 11/29, measures 3,000 by 45 metres (9,843 by 148 ft), has anasphalt surface, and is equipped with anILS approach system,VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR), and a DME station. The secondary runway, 16/34, measures 1,800 by 30 metres (5,906 by 98 ft), also with an asphalt surface, and is seldom used. Although the main runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as theBoeing 747-400, the airport primarily handles narrow-body operations. There are three terminals:
Terminal A is the oldest of the three. Originally built in the 1970s and later expanded, its layout includes a main building withcheck-in facilities,baggage claim, airline and airport offices, and various passenger services. A satellite building, accessed via an underground corridor, houses the security checkpoint, 14 boarding gates, VIP lounges, duty-free stores, customs and immigration facilities, shopping areas, and restaurants. The satellite is divided into two concourses: the North Concourse, which includes gates 1, 2, 9, and 10 on the upper level and gates 11–14 on the ground floor, serving domestic flights; and the South Concourse (gates 3–8), dedicated to international operations.
Passengers in Terminal A have access to lounges including theAmerican Express Centurion Lounge, Salón Beyond by Citibanamex, and the OMA Premium Lounge. Airlines operating from this terminal includeVolaris,Magnicharters,Air Canada,American Airlines,American Eagle,Copa Airlines,Mexicana,United Airlines, andUnited Express.
Opened in September 2010, Terminal B is a two-story facility with 16 gates, six of which are equipped withjet bridges, and multiple apron positions for smaller aircraft. Designed to handle up to 2 million passengers annually, the terminal provides standard services such as check-in areas, a security checkpoint, departure concourse, duty-free stores, baggage claim, taxi stands, and car rental counters. VIP services include the Salón Premier of Aeroméxico on the ground floor, an American Express Centurion Lounge on the landside, and the OMA Premium Lounge.
This terminal functions as a hub forSkyTeam carriers, includingAeroméxico,Aeroméxico Connect, andDelta Air Lines. It is also used by regional operators such asTAR Aerolíneas andAerus.
Opened on November 30, 2006, Terminal C serves as the primary hub forViva. The terminal consists of a single-story building with essential facilities. The departures area includes check-in counters, a security checkpoint, and a departure concourse with amenities such as aduty-free store, an OMA Premium Lounge, and a food court. Arrival facilities include customs and immigration processing, car rental services, and taxi stands. Terminal C houses gates 27–33 and connects to a newly built pier with gates 21–26.
A free shuttle service operates between Terminals A, B, and C from 05:00 to midnight, with average wait times of 10 minutes. Boarding points are located at each terminal’s main entrance.
Airport Boulevard features various amenities such as hotels, restaurants, and commercial establishments. Viva Aerobus and Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) both maintain corporate headquarters within the Terminal C cargo zone.[16][17]General aviation operations are supported by a dedicated terminal with a VIP lounge, a pilots’ lounge, and a passenger lounge. The airport’s air cargo terminal occupies 6 hectares (15 acres). It serves both national and international courier companies, includingFedEx,DHL,UPS, andEstafeta.
The airport also houses theMonterrey Area Control Center (ACC), one of four such facilities in Mexico, alongside theMexico City ACC,Mérida ACC, andMazatlán ACC. Operated by the Mexican Airspace Navigation Services (Spanish:Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano), the Monterrey ACC provides air traffic control services within the Monterrey Flight Data Region (FDRG), which covers the northeastern region of Mexico. This region shares boundaries with four other Area Control Centers: Mazatlán ACC to the west,Houston ARTCC (KZHU) to the north, Mexico ACC to the south, and Mérida ACC to the east.
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Monterrey Domestic destinations from Monterrey International Airport Red = Year-round destination Blue = Future destination Green = Seasonal destination |
 Monterrey North- and Latin American destinations from Monterrey International Airport Red = Year-round destination Blue = Future destination Green = Seasonal destination |
European and Asian destinations from Monterrey International Airport Red = Year-round destination Blue = Future destination Green = Seasonal destination |
| Rank | City | Passengers | Ranking | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mexico City,Mexico City | 1,491,867 |  | Aeroméxico,Aeroméxico Connect,Viva,Volaris |
| 2 |  Quintana Roo,Cancún | 752,286 | | Magni, Viva, Volaris |
| 3 |  Jalisco,Guadalajara | 484,028 | | Viva, Volaris |
| 4 |  State of Mexico,Mexico City-AIFA | 263,571 |  10 | Aeroméxico Connect,Mexicana, Viva |
| 5 |  Baja California,Tijuana | 252,127 |  1 | Viva, Volaris |
| 6 |  Querétaro,Querétaro | 217,200 | 1 | Aeroméxico Connect,TAR, Viva |
| 7 | State of Mexico,Toluca | 173,508 | 4 | Viva |
| 8 |  Chihuahua,Ciudad Juárez | 163,868 | 2 | Viva |
| 9 |  Yucatán,Mérida | 162,556 | 2 | Viva, Volaris |
| 10 | Jalisco,Puerto Vallarta | 156,542 | 4 | Magni, TAR, Viva, Volaris |
| 11 |  Sonora,Hermosillo | 140,116 | 3 | Viva |
| 12 |  Guanajuato,León/El Bajío | 129,057 | 3 | Aeroméxico Connect, Viva |
| 13 |  Veracruz,Veracruz | 125,834 | | Viva |
| 14 | Chihuahua,Chihuahua | 125,500 | 2 | Viva |
| 15 |  Puebla,Puebla | 108,443 | | Viva, Volaris |
| Rank | City | Passengers | Ranking | Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States,Houston–Intercontinental | 229,636 | | United Airlines,United Express,Viva |
| 2 | United States,Dallas/Fort Worth | 207,548 | | American Airlines,American Eagle, Viva |
| 3 | United States,San Antonio | 76,940 | | Viva |
| 4 | United States,Las Vegas | 69,718 | 2 | Magni,Frontier Airlines, Viva |
| 5 | United States,Atlanta | 68,128 | 2 | Aeroméxico Connect,Delta Air Lines |
| 6 | United States,Chicago–O'Hare | 67,098 | 2 | United Express, Viva |
| 7 |  Spain,Madrid | 59,404 | 2 | Aeroméxico |
| 8 | United States,Los Angeles | 34,465 | 1 | Viva |
| 9 | United States,Miami | 33,820 | 2 | American Eagle, Viva |
| 10 |  Panama,Panama City-Tocumen | 25,575 | 2 | Copa Airlines |
| 11 |  Japan,Tokyo–Narita, Japan | 23,516 |  | Aeroméxico |
| 12 | United States,Detroit | 22,794 | 2 | Aeroméxico Connect |
| 13 | United States,Orlando | 18,898 | | Aeroméxico, Magni, Viva |
| 14 | United States,Phoenix-Sky Harbor | 17,791 | 1 | American Eagle |
| 15 | United States,Austin | 15,936 | | Viva |
Monterrey Airport is located 28 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of downtown Monterrey and is accessible solely by road. Local bus, shuttle, and taxi services, as well as long-distance bus services to cities inNuevo León,Coahuila,Tamaulipas,San Luis Potosí, andTexas, are available. Travel time by car from the city center typically ranges from 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The airport offers extensive short- and long-term parking facilities, and each terminal has multiple taxi and car rental service counters.
TheRuta Express, a public bus line, operates from the airport toY-Griega Station onLine 1 of theMonterrey Metro.[31]Grupo Senda operates services to both Y-Griega and San Jerónimo Bus Station, while Noreste runs hourly buses from the Airport to theCentral Bus Station. There are two main bus stops at the airport: one between Terminals A and B, and another in front of Terminal C. Tickets can be purchased at terminal information desks (130 MXN) or online (110 MXN). Travel time to the Central Bus Station, located approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northwest ofMacroplaza, is around 60 minutes. From there, passengers can transfer to the Metro or long-distance buses.
VivaBus offers shuttle transportation exclusively forViva passengers, serving both the Central Bus Station and Terminal Fierro (near Y-Griega Station). TransporteAeroméxico provides hourly shuttle services from Terminal B to Y-Griega, Garza Sada Bus Station, andHotel Son Mar (two blocks from the Central Bus Station). Aero Contaxi operates similar routes from Terminal C.
Several coach operators connect the airport with nearby cities. Noreste runs direct services to destinations in Tamaulipas and Texas, while Grupo Senda offers routes toSaltillo,Monclova,Piedras Negras, andRamos Arizpe in Coahuila;Reynosa andNuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas; andMatehuala in San Luis Potosí.
Several taxi companies operate from the airport.Golden provides taxi and van services throughout the Monterrey metropolitan area. Suburban offers online booking for airport transfers. Airport-exclusive providers such asTaxi Aeropuerto,Taxis Aeropuerto Monterrey,Taxis Totsa, andTPA serve both the city and nearby municipalities, including Saltillo.
Media related toMonterrey International Airport at Wikimedia Commons
