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La Paz International Airport Is Getting a MXN $1.1 Billion Upgrade
La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, is preparing for a significant investment in its airport infrastructure.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), the company operating La Paz International Airport (LAP), has announced an investment of MXN $1.099 billion to expand and modernize the airport between 2025 and 2029.
The project is part of GAP's larger development program across 12 airports in Mexico and comes as La Paz continues to record increasing passenger traffic.
According to GAP's official announcement, the investment will expand the airport's passenger terminal, improve baggage facilities, upgrade security screening areas, and rehabilitate its existing runway.
What is included in the La Paz airport expansion?
The five-year development program focuses on increasing capacity and improving the passenger experience at Aeropuerto Internacional Manuel Márquez de León, commonly known as La Paz International Airport.
The announced improvements include:
- MXN $1.099 billion in planned investment between 2025 and 2029.
- More than 1,400 square meters of additional terminal space to accommodate airport operations and passengers.
- 66% expansion of the passenger security screening area, providing additional space for travelers.
- 63% expansion of the baggage claim area, increasing the space available to arriving passengers.
- Runway rehabilitation to support continued safe and efficient airport operations.
These improvements were confirmed in GAP's official press release dated May 7, 2025.
Source: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, La Paz Airport Investment Announcement.
La Paz airport passenger traffic continues to grow
The planned expansion follows a period of growth in passenger traffic.
La Paz International Airport handled more than 1.3 million passengers in 2025, a record for the airport, according to figures reported by GAP and presented during its 2026 consultative commission meeting.
More recent figures show that the growth continued into 2026. According to GAP's passenger traffic report published October 6, 2026:
- 1,078,200 total passengers traveled through La Paz International Airport from January through September 2026.
- 9.9% growth in total passenger traffic compared with the same nine-month period in 2025.
- 34,000 international passengers were recorded during January–September 2026, a 33.5% increase over the corresponding period in 2025.
Although September 2026 traffic was lower than September 2025, the airport remained ahead of the previous year's cumulative passenger total through the first nine months.
The figures show increasing use of La Paz International Airport, providing important context for the planned investment in terminal capacity.
Source: GAP, September 2026 Passenger Traffic Report.
Improved air connectivity for La Paz, Baja California Sur
Air connectivity is an important consideration for visitors planning trips to southern Baja California.
La Paz International Airport serves domestic destinations including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana and Monterrey.
In 2024, the airport also reestablished direct international service to Los Angeles, California, operated by Alaska Airlines. That route marked the return of scheduled international flights to the airport and remained part of its reported international connectivity in 2026.
In announcing the airport expansion, GAP identified infrastructure improvements as part of its efforts to support existing passenger demand and attract additional air routes.
However, the investment announcement does not guarantee new international destinations or specific future airline services. Those decisions depend on airlines, demand and operating conditions.
Source: Turismo BCS, La Paz Airport Routes and Passenger Growth, May 2026.
What does the investment mean for visitors to La Paz?
For travelers, the most direct benefits of the airport modernization are expected to come from improvements to airport facilities.
Expanded passenger screening and baggage claim areas are designed to accommodate higher passenger volumes, while the additional terminal space will support airport operations as demand changes.
The investment is also part of a wider infrastructure strategy in Mexico. GAP has announced more than MXN $52 billion in planned investment across its Mexican airport network for 2025–2029.
For La Paz, the airport expansion represents a long-term infrastructure commitment to a destination known for its coastline, marine environments and access to the Sea of Cortez.
The project does not, by itself, establish future tourism growth rates, changes in property values or increases in vacation rental demand. It does, however, provide a documented indication of investment in the region's transportation infrastructure.
Discover La Paz and Puerto Mexía
La Paz offers access to some of Baja California Sur's best-known coastal attractions, including the Sea of Cortez, Isla Espíritu Santo and Playa Balandra.
As airport infrastructure develops, visitors planning a stay in the region can continue to explore the area's beaches, desert landscapes, boating excursions and coastal communities.
Puerto Mexía is one of the coastal areas near La Paz, offering a setting away from the city's central waterfront. To learn more about the destination and explore accommodation options, visit Puerto Mexía or see stays at Casa Mantarraya.
Sources
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), May 7, 2025. Official La Paz Airport Expansion Announcement. Primary source for the investment amount, project period and infrastructure improvements.
- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), October 6, 2026. September 2026 Passenger Traffic Report. Primary source for cumulative 2026 domestic, international and total passenger figures.
- Turismo BCS, May 27, 2026. La Paz Airport Sets a Passenger Traffic Record. Reporting on the airport's 2025 passenger record, scheduled routes and 2026 connectivity.
Information current as of October 31, 2026. Planned infrastructure improvements and investment amounts are subject to implementation schedules and future updates from GAP.