Less than two years after the opening of Tulum International Airport on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, a suite of major United States airlines is pulling flights from schedules, with data from aviation analysts Cirium showing a 28% reduction in combined US seat capacity year-on-year since December 2024.
In fact, Air Canada, American Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Delta, Discover, JetBlue, Spirit, and United have all reduced, suspended, or failed even to begin services to Tulum.
The phenomenon is partly down to airlines having to estimate demand ahead of any airport inauguration, and not always getting it right. Speaking to US Today, Cirium representative Mike Arnot said: “Airlines will first guess the demand for flights based on the data tools at their disposal, offer a schedule for sale to test their hypothesis, review the results, and add or pare as they see fit.”
@ogbondgirl The Tulum airport is amazing!!!!! Will never fly into Cancun again. We landed and were off the plane, through customs and in the car within 15 minutes!!!! It was empty for arrival and departure. Literally could have gotten there 45 mins before our flight departed. It is a 45 minute drive from Tulum town. You should pre-book a car service (we paid $70 one way) or you can take the ADO buses (affordable, nice and same travel time.) #cancun #cancunmexico #tulum #tulumairport #cancunairport #cancunvacation #mexicotiktok #mexicotravel ♬ оригинальный звук – sophia – user23050639321
If demand is not covering “trip costs, and the opportunity cost of deploying aircraft, crew and fuel,” carriers will “reduce flying from a market or exit altogether,” Arnot explained, noting that “larger carriers will be more conservative.”
In line with that, Air Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer has said bluntly that “the industry added too much capacity to Tulum, and now some airlines are rationalising. We are reducing service there and focusing more on Cancún, which works well for us.” Similarly, Lufthansa’s budget carrier Discover Airlines told Spanish outlet Tourinews: “Tulum airport has a lot of potential, but it always comes down to a combination of factors. For now, we are focusing on Cancun.”
So, why isn’t Tulum living up to expectations? Frequent US government rhetoric about the dangers of Mexico and State Department travel advisory updates about violent crime probably do not help build demand, and some US consumers may be reciprocating the perceived snub from Mexican holidaymakers who have reduced travel to the US, according to official figures. But these answers do not explain why Cancun and other Mexican destinations remain so popular.
Mexico City: Anti-gentrification demonstrations are expected to take place on September 14. At previous demonstrations, protesters vandalized property and threw rocks at people perceived to be foreigners. U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations that may be… pic.twitter.com/Bix6YWwqzO
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) September 12, 2025
US travel site Travel Off Path notes problems with the unionised taxi firms in Tulum and says the once-affordable retreat has become an expensive “luxury playground” yet lacks the finesse and facilities of, say, Los Cabos on the Baja California Peninsula. Ground transport options are thus problematic, and there is no bypass road, making some road journeys tedious.
For now, a large part of the Tulum question appears to be a mismatch between expectation and reality. It’s a destination long promoted as a laidback haven offering barefoot strolls along aquamarine shores, wild swimming in natural cenote water holes, and adventures among Mayan ruins for the non-conforming, eco traveller. It used to be possible to reach Tulum via a less than two-hour road trip from Cancún, and perhaps that (albeit slight) distance enabled it to retain its charm, with those who made the extra effort aware of what they were heading for and pleased to get there.
Now, the sudden ease of getting to Tulum by direct flight is at odds with its off-the-beaten-track reputation, making it less appealing to its usual demographic and not appealing enough for others. Some travel guides are promoting alternatives such as Bacalar, Isla Holbox, and Oaxaca instead.
Overall, it seems a period of readjustment and correction may be in order for both Tulum and its guests. After all, the coastline, cenotes, Mayan history, and authentic produce are still there, waiting to be discovered, in between the upscale accommodation, the fine dining, and budget-busting taxi journeys. For those who are still keen, finding a flight might be the main problem.
