Colima Airport
International airport in Mexico
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colima Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Colima), officially Aeropuerto Internacional Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid (Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid International Airport) (IATA: CLQ, ICAO: MMIA), is an international airport in Colima, Mexico. It handles scheduled passenger flights and general aviation operations. The airport is named after former President of Mexico Miguel de la Madrid and was designated as an international airport in September 2025. It is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina under the Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR).
Colima International Airport Aeropuerto Internacional de Colima | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina (SEMAR) | ||||||||||
| Serves | Colima, Colima, Mexico | ||||||||||
| Location | Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico | ||||||||||
| Opened | 12 February 1988 | ||||||||||
| Time zone | CST (UTC−06:00) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 752 m / 2,467 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 19°16′37″N 103°34′38″W | ||||||||||
| Website | www.aeropuertosasa.mx/CLQ | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  CLQ Location of airport in Colima[1]  CLQ CLQ (Mexico) | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2025) | |||||||||||
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| Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil | |||||||||||
History
Construction and opening (1983-1988)
Construction of the airport began in 1983. The airport's first flight occurred on September 17, 1987, when an Aeroméxico DC-9 transported special guests for Governor Elías Zamora Verduzco's state address.[2] On October 8, 1987, the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) transferred the airport to Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) for operational management.[3]
Commercial airline service commenced on February 12, 1988, when Aero California began daily flights connecting Colima with Tijuana, La Paz, Los Mochis, and Guadalajara.[4] President Miguel de la Madrid officially inaugurated the airport on March 11, 1988.[5]
Early operations and route development (1988-2008)
By 1989, Aero California had expanded service to include nonstop flights to Mexico City and Tijuana.[6] On November 24, 1992, regional carrier Aeromar began daily service to Mexico City.[7] By July 1999, Aeroméxico also operated four weekly flights to Mexico City and Tijuana, with Aeromar providing additional daily service as an Aeroméxico Connect partner.[8]
On April 3, 2006, all Aero California operations were suspended by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes for administrative and operational deficiencies.[9] The airline resumed service on August 11, 2006,[10] with Colima among the first destinations restored.
On July 23, 2008, Aero California was suspended again due to unpaid debts totaling 259.5 million pesos and never resumed operations.[11] The airport handled 102,896 passengers in 2008, which dropped to 43,610 passengers in 2009, a 57% decline.[12]
Recovery and expansion (2009-2023)
Following Aero California's closure, Aeromar became the primary carrier with service to Mexico City. Volaris entered the market on May 31, 2012, with service to Tijuana.[13] Passenger traffic gradually recovered, reaching 138,962 by 2016.
Aeroméxico launched daily service on September 18, 2017, but discontinued it on June 30, 2018.[14] Volaris added Mexico City service on November 15, 2018, operating three weekly flights. Passenger numbers reached 194,471 in 2019, the highest level prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic reduced passenger traffic to 105,671 in 2020. On February 15, 2023, Aeromar ceased operations after 35 years of service.[15] Aeroméxico resumed service on March 16, 2023,[16] and transferred its service to Felipe Ángeles International Airport on October 5, 2023.[17] The airport handled 201,243 passengers in 2023 and reached a record 212,435 passengers in 2024.
International designation (2025)
On September 18, 2025, the airport was officially designated as international, with management transferred from ASA to Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina under the Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR).[18] A modernization project valued at 327 million pesos (US$17.5 million) commenced to expand capacity and improve facilities in preparation for international operations.
Facilities
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The airport is located at an elevation of 752 metres (2,467 ft) and covers an area of 386 hectares (950 acres). It has a single 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) asphalt runway designated 07/25. The apron measures 16,200 square metres (174,000 sq ft) and includes three parking positions for narrow-body aircraft, as well as spaces for smaller aircraft and helicopters.
The passenger terminal is a single-story facility handling both arrivals and departures. The terminal includes parking facilities, a check-in area with ticketing counters, security screening, a baggage claim area, and an arrivals hall with car rental services and taxi stands. The departure concourse has two gates with direct apron access, allowing passengers to board aircraft via walking.
In addition to commercial operations, the airport includes a cargo handling facility, a dedicated general aviation terminal for private and charter flights, and administrative offices.
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Airlines and destinations
Passenger
| Airlines | Destinations |
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| Aeroméxico Connect | Mexico City–Felipe Ángeles[19] |
| Volaris | Tijuana[20] |
| Destinations map |
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Domestic destinations from Colima International Airport Red = Year-round destination Blue = Future destination Green = Seasonal destination |
Statistics
Annual Traffic
| Year | Total Passengers | change % | Cargo movements (t) | Air operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 101,634 |  | 75 | 5,207 |
| 2007 | 142,272 |  39.98% | 230 | 7,432 |
| 2008 | 102,896 |  27.68% | 92 | 7,311 |
| 2009 | 43,610 | 57.62% | 93 | 5,233 |
| 2010 | 42,979 | 1.45% | 242 | 4,418 |
| 2011 | 61,929 | 44.09% | 89 | 5,365 |
| 2012 | 106,313 | 71.67% | 100 | 6,810 |
| 2013 | 108,265 | 1.84% | 80 | 6,169 |
| 2014 | 114,457 | 5.72% | 105 | 6,338 |
| 2015 | 113,583 | 0.76% | 118 | 6,115 |
| 2016 | 138,962 | 22.34% | 117 | 5,999 |
| 2017 | 138,441 | 0.37% | 107 | 6,132 |
| 2018 | 155,966 | 12.66% | 96 | 5,999 |
| 2019 | 194,471 | 24.69% | 128 | 6,311 |
| 2020 | 105,671 | 45.66% | 36 | 3,594 |
| 2021 | 143,774 | 36.05% | 47 | 3,549 |
| 2022 | 169,516 | 17.90% | 48 | 3,726 |
| 2023 | 201,243 | 18.72% | 0.45 | 3,422 |
| 2024 | 212,435 | 5.56% | 3 | 3,937 |
| 2025 | 250,146 | 17.75% | 3 | 4,070 |
Busiest routes
| Rank | Airport | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tijuana, Baja California | 93,018 |
| 2 | Mexico City–AIFA, State of Mexico | 25,300 |
