Colombia Leads Puerto Rico and More Countries in Driving Travel Growth as Airport Traffic Hits 8.6 Million

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Colombia leads Puerto Rico and more countries in driving travel growth across ASUR’s airport network, as rising domestic and international passenger movements help airport traffic reach 8.6 million in September 2026. Brazil and Ecuador also contribute to growth, while Mexico, Costa Rica and Curaçao record declines. The contrasting performance highlights changing airline travel patterns across the Americas, with domestic aviation supporting overall passenger volumes despite weaker international demand. For the global tourism industry, the results demonstrate how regional airport connectivity, destination access and differences between domestic and cross-border travel influence the performance of major aviation markets.

How Is ASUR’s Airport Network Reshaping Travel Growth Across the Americas in 2026?

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) recorded 8,656,117 passengers in September 2026, compared with 8,659,156 in September 2025. The marginal decline of 3,039 passengers left overall traffic virtually unchanged, although individual markets experienced significant differences. Domestic traffic increased by 1.8%, reaching 6,431,646 passengers, while international movements declined by 4.9% to 2,224,471. This difference reflects the importance of internal air connectivity across the airport portfolio. Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Ecuador contributed positive growth, offsetting reductions in Mexico, Costa Rica and Curaçao. The figures cover ASUR-operated airports rather than the entire aviation systems of the countries concerned.

• Overall airport traffic remained virtually unchanged year-on-year.
• Domestic passenger movements increased by 1.8%.
• International passenger movements decreased by 4.9%.
• Colombia recorded the highest percentage growth among the seven markets.
• ASUR’s expanded airport portfolio included its newly acquired operations.

Why Is Colombia Leading Airport Passenger Growth Across ASUR’s American Markets?

Colombia achieved the strongest percentage increase among ASUR’s seven geographical markets, with passenger movements rising by 5.7% to 1,474,663 in September 2026. Domestic traffic increased by 5.9%, while international movements expanded by 4.9%, showing growth across both categories. Rionegro’s José María Córdova International Airport, serving the Medellín metropolitan region, handled 1,177,591 passengers, an increase of 4.8%. Montería recorded particularly strong growth of 23.0%, reaching 137,368 passengers. Colombia’s performance demonstrates how international gateways and regional airports contribute differently to passenger growth. The figures establish improving airport throughput but do not independently measure tourism arrivals or visitor expenditure.

• Colombia’s airport passenger traffic increased by 5.7%.
• Domestic aviation recorded 5.9% growth.
• International passenger traffic increased by 4.9%.
• Rionegro remained the largest airport in ASUR’s Colombian portfolio.
• Montería recorded one of the strongest airport-level growth rates.

How Is Puerto Rico Strengthening Air Travel Connectivity Through San Juan Airport?

Puerto Rico recorded an improvement in September 2026 passenger traffic through Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. The airport handled 810,085 passengers, representing a 3.1% increase compared with September 2025. Domestic traffic expanded by 3.4% to 692,597 passengers, while international movements increased by 1.1% to 117,488. The figures demonstrate growth in both categories during the reporting month. However, cumulative traffic between January and September remained 2.9% below the corresponding period in 2025. This distinction highlights the importance of examining monthly improvement alongside longer-term trends when assessing aviation performance and travel access to Puerto Rico.

• San Juan Airport handled more than 810,000 passengers.
• Domestic passenger traffic increased by 3.4%.
• International movements grew by 1.1%.
• Both traffic categories recorded positive September results.
• Year-to-date passengers remained below 2025 levels.

Why Is Brazil’s Domestic Aviation Market Supporting Passenger Growth Despite International Declines?

Brazil’s ASUR-operated airports handled 2,892,969 passengers in September 2026, an increase of 2.6% from the previous year. Domestic traffic rose by 2.9% to 2,835,506 passengers, while international movements decreased by 11.5%. Foz do Iguaçu Airport, serving the region associated with the famous Iguaçu Falls, experienced significant growth of 29.0%, reaching 234,668 passengers. Petrolina recorded an even higher percentage increase of 38.9%, while Londrina advanced by 22.6%. These results demonstrate considerable differences within Brazil’s airport network. Domestic aviation remained the principal contributor to the country’s passenger growth across ASUR-operated facilities during the reporting period.

• Brazil recorded 2.6% overall passenger growth.
• Domestic passenger movements increased by 2.9%.
• International movements declined by 11.5%.
• Foz do Iguaçu Airport recorded 29.0% growth.
• Petrolina registered a 38.9% increase in airport passengers.

How Is Ecuador’s Quito Airport Supporting International Travel Growth in 2026?

Ecuador recorded moderate growth at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, where passenger traffic reached 443,670 in September 2026. Overall movements increased by 1.7% compared with the corresponding month of 2025. International traffic grew by 3.2% to 228,668 passengers, outperforming the domestic segment, which increased by just 0.1% to 215,002. International passenger movements accounted for slightly more than half of the airport’s reported total. This pattern contrasts with Brazil, where domestic traffic accounted for the overwhelming majority of passengers. Quito’s results highlight the contribution of international air connectivity to Ecuador’s September aviation performance, without establishing a corresponding increase in foreign tourist arrivals.

• Quito Airport recorded 1.7% overall passenger growth.
• International movements increased by 3.2%.
• Domestic traffic remained almost unchanged.
• International passengers exceeded domestic passenger numbers.
• Quito contributed positive growth to ASUR’s expanded airport portfolio.

Why Did Curaçao Airport Passenger Traffic Decline Despite Domestic Travel Growth?

Curaçao recorded a modest decline in September 2026, with airport passenger movements falling by 0.9% to 183,303. The reduction occurred despite an 8.9% increase in domestic traffic, which reached 12,847 passengers. International passenger movements declined by 1.6% to 170,456. International traffic accounted for most of the airport’s passenger volume, making changes in this category particularly important to overall performance. The figures show that growth in a relatively small domestic segment was insufficient to compensate for weaker international volumes. For tourism analysis, the results underline Curaçao’s substantial exposure to cross-border air travel while providing no direct evidence about visitor spending or accommodation demand.

• Curaçao’s overall airport traffic declined by 0.9%.
• Domestic passengers increased by 8.9%.
• International passenger movements fell by 1.6%.
• International travel represented the dominant passenger category.
• Domestic growth did not compensate for international reductions.

Why Is Mexico Facing Weaker Airport Traffic Despite Growth at Several Regional Destinations?

Mexico experienced a 6.1% reduction in ASUR airport passenger traffic during September 2026, with total movements reaching 2,446,399. Domestic traffic declined by 3.7%, while international passenger numbers fell by 9.8%. Cancún, a major international tourism gateway, handled 1,607,088 passengers, representing an 8.6% reduction. Its international traffic alone decreased by 11.8%. Nevertheless, several regional airports recorded positive growth. Villahermosa increased by 9.4%, Tapachula by 7.6%, and Cozumel by 5.4%. These contrasting figures show that Mexico’s aviation performance was not uniform. The overall decline reflected weaker traffic at major facilities despite gains across selected regional airport markets.

• Mexico recorded a 6.1% overall passenger decline.
• International traffic decreased more sharply than domestic traffic.
• Cancún remained the largest airport in ASUR’s Mexican network.
• Villahermosa and Tapachula achieved positive growth.
• Cozumel increased overall passenger traffic despite weaker international movements.

How Is Costa Rica’s International Passenger Decline Affecting San José Airport Traffic?

Costa Rica recorded a 6.1% reduction in passenger movements at San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport during September 2026. The airport handled 405,028 passengers, compared with 431,141 in September 2025. International traffic decreased by 6.4% to 396,676 passengers, accounting for most of the overall reduction. Meanwhile, domestic passenger numbers increased by 16.3%, reaching 8,352. Despite this comparatively strong percentage gain, the domestic segment remained too small to offset the decline in international movements. San José’s results demonstrate the significance of cross-border air connectivity for the airport’s overall performance and the differing scale of its international and domestic operations.

• San José Airport traffic declined by 6.1%.
• International passenger numbers fell by 6.4%.
• Domestic passenger traffic increased by 16.3%.
• International passengers represented approximately 98% of total traffic.
• The increase in domestic movements did not offset the international decline.

How Does ASUR’s Expanded Airport Portfolio Change Aviation Connectivity Across the Americas?

ASUR’s September 2026 report marked the first complete month of operations following its acquisition of CPC Aeroportos. The expanded portfolio incorporated airport operations in Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Curaçao, accounting for approximately 3.9 million passengers during September. According to the company’s published information, ASUR now holds 36 airport concessions across the Americas. The wider network provides exposure to different aviation markets, including domestic-heavy operations in Brazil and internationally oriented airports in Costa Rica and Curaçao. The acquisition changes the geographical composition of ASUR’s traffic reporting, making consistent comparisons essential when assessing annual passenger growth and the company’s broader aviation footprint.

• The acquired operations completed their first full reporting month.
• Brazil became a substantial contributor to ASUR’s passenger volumes.
• Costa Rica, Curaçao and Ecuador entered the expanded consolidated portfolio.
• The group reported 36 airport concessions across the Americas.
• Airport-level comparisons remained necessary to distinguish regional performance.

What Does ASUR’s September 2026 Performance Mean for International Travel, Airlines and Tourism?

ASUR’s September 2026 passenger figures reveal an important distinction between airport activity and international tourism performance. Domestic traffic increased by 1.8% across the company’s network, while international movements declined by 4.9%. These opposing patterns have implications for airlines assessing route demand, airports evaluating passenger volumes and tourism businesses monitoring air access to destinations. Colombia and Puerto Rico achieved simultaneous domestic and international growth, while Brazil’s improvement depended primarily on internal aviation. Mexico, Costa Rica and Curaçao faced weaker overall results. The findings demonstrate that regional air travel performance cannot be accurately assessed using consolidated passenger numbers alone.

• Airline route planning: Differences between domestic and international passenger growth provide useful historical evidence for assessing airport market performance.
• Tourism connectivity: Rising passenger volumes at airports serving destinations such as Medellín and Foz do Iguaçu indicate increased airport activity, although not necessarily increased tourist arrivals.
• International gateways: Cancún and San José recorded weaker international movements, making international traffic trends particularly important to their aviation performance.
• Regional airport development: Growth at Montería, Petrolina and Villahermosa demonstrates that individual airports can outperform wider national portfolios.
• Tourism market analysis: Airport passenger traffic must be assessed alongside independently verified tourism arrivals, accommodation performance and airline capacity before conclusions about tourism demand can be established.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Colombia leads Puerto Rico and more countries in driving travel growth across ASUR’s expanded airport network, although passenger performance varies considerably between markets. Brazil and Ecuador contribute to the positive momentum, while Mexico, Costa Rica and Curaçao face declining airport movements. ASUR airport traffic hits a broadly stable level because gains in domestic aviation counter weaker international activity. The findings highlight the importance of regional connectivity, airline networks and destination accessibility throughout the Americas. For the wider tourism industry, these contrasting trends reinforce the need to examine individual airports and travel markets rather than rely exclusively on consolidated passenger totals.