Puerto Penasco’s New Airport: Mar de Cortes International

Key Data:

Sponsors – State of Sonora and Mayan Resort Group

Capacity – Up to Boeing 767 and Airbus equivalents

Runway – 2500 meters (8200 feet)

Airlines – Expected: Alaskan Airlines, AeroMexico

In Negotiations: Mexicana, Continental,

American Airlines, America West.

Timeline:

Sept. 2007 – Runways completed; Opened runway for Border Governor’s Conference on Sept. 25, 2007.

Mar de Cortes International will feature an all-poured-concrete terminal with U.S.-level construction. It is planned to be a premier resort airport on par with or exceeding those in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos

Recently Inaugurated Airport to Open for Private and Charter Flights in November 2009 and Commercial Flights in Early 2010

Puerto Peñasco continues to take exciting steps. The new coastal highway has been bringing visitors from Yuma and Southern California all summer and fall. In September, the State of Sonora inaugurated Puerto Peñasco’s new International Airport and that airport will open for Private and Charter flights next week. The Mar de Cortes International Airport offers world-class infrastructure and a runway sufficient to welcome 737 and 757 sized aircrafts. This is an airport designed to compete head on with Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. The future remains bright and owners of real estate in Rocky Point continue to have plenty to celebrate.

Commercial flight service is still being negotiated, but the airport’s directors hope for commercial flight routes starting as early as possible in 2010. For additional information, please see the Arizona Daily Star’s article from October 28, 2009. See http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/315098 Please see the Arizona Daily Star’s article from December 08,2010: http://azstarnet.com/business/local/article_5408bead-84bd-5e0b-b895-43cd177c954a.html

November 5, 2009 – International Airport Grand Opening Puerto Peñasco, Sonora (Rocky Point)

It was a beautiful sight and a harbinger of what is to come. On the runway sat two large commercial planes from Aeromexico and Interjet and stewardess crews clad in blue walked the glass terminal. Tessoro at Las Conchas’ banner hung proudly on the tarmac, representing the future of luxury development in this growing beach community. Then, out of the North, landed an elegant Boeing 757 flying the colors of Mexico.

The Mar de Cortes International Airport was formally opened on November 5 in Puerto Peñasco. Dignitaries from all over Mexico flew in for the event and Mexican President Felipe Calderón presided over the ceremony. Sonoran Governor Guillermo Padres and Puerto Peñasco Mayor Alejandro Zepeda watched proudly as their beach destination became national and international news.

Private and charter flights opened last week and a commercial schedule is expected in early 2010. Interjet and Aeromexico are expected to be the first carriers to service the airport. These and several American airlines are in negotiations with the airport operators.

It has been an exciting fall for Puerto Peñasco, with the coastal highway to California, the Pinacate Biosphere visitor center and now the international airport opening. With infrastructure expanding, Rocky Point is expected to receive an increase in visitors over the coming year and broaden its market. While flight service will develop over time, everyone in the Puerto Peñasco community, American, Canadian and Mexican, will remember where they were on this day.