Uruapan International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Uruapan); officially Aeropuerto Internacional Lic. y Gen. Ignacio López Rayón (Lic. y Gen. Ignacio López Rayón International Airport) (IATA: UPN, ICAO: MMPN) is an international airport located in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. It serves domestic flights and it supports flight training, executive, and general aviation activities. Operated by Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (GAFSACOMM), a federal government-owned corporation, the airport is named after Ignacio López Rayón, a leader in the Mexican War of Independence. In 2022, the airport served 151,151 passengers, and in 2023, the passenger count was 173,005.[1]

Uruapan International Airport

Aeropuerto Internacional de Uruapan
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorOlmeca-Maya-Mexica
ServesUruapan, Michoacán, Mexico
Time zoneCST (UTC−06:00)
Elevation AMSL1,603 m / 5,259 ft
Coordinates19°23′48″N 102°02′21″W / 19.39667°N 102.03917°W / 19.39667; -102.03917
Websitewww.gob.mx/grupoolmecamayamexica/es/articulos/aeropuerto-internacional-de-uruapan
Map
UPN is located in Michoacán
UPN
UPN
Location of airport in Michoacán
UPN is located in Mexico
UPN
UPN
UPN (Mexico)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 2,400 7,874 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Total passengers173,005
Ranking in Mexico46th Steady
Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil[1]

History

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Passenger terminal entrance

The first air services to Uruapan began in 1937, connecting the city to Acapulco. The airport joined the Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) network in 1970. Regional airlines like Aero Cuahonte and Aero Sudpacífico were once based here. Over the years, Uruapan Airport has been served by various airlines, including Aeromar, Avolar, Lineas Aereas Azteca, and TAESA Airlines.[2] International services started in October 2012 with Volaris offering flights to Los Angeles.[3] In 2023, airport operations shifted to Grupo Olmeca Maya Mexica (GAFSACOMM), a military-owned entity, aligning with the López Obrador administration's strategy to involve the armed forces in major infrastructure projects.

Facilities

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Passenger terminal airside

The airport is situated within the Uruapan urban area, covering an approximate area of 264 hectares (650 acres), at an elevation of 1,603 metres (5,259 ft) above sea level. It features a 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) asphalt runway, capable of accommodating aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The commercial aviation apron spans 15,652 square metres (168,480 sq ft) with the capacity to host three narrow-body aircraft. The official operating hours of the airport are from 7:00 to 19:00.

The passenger terminal, a two-story structure, accommodates arrivals and departures, offering standard services commonly found at regional airports. These services include parking facilities, a check-in area, a security checkpoint, a VIP lounge, retail outlets, immigration and customs facilities, baggage claim zones, an arrivals hall with car rental services and taxi stands, and a departure concourse with three gates providing direct access to the apron, allowing passengers to board their planes by walking to the aircraft. Furthermore, the airport houses logistics and courier companies, administrative, and police facilities.

Airlines and destinations

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Volaris Airbus A320 at URU

Passenger

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AirlinesDestinations
Mexicana de Aviación Mexico City–AIFA
Volaris Los Angeles, Tijuana

Destination maps

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Domestic destinations from Uruapan International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Blue = Future destination
Green = Seasonal destination
International destinations from Uruapan International Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Blue = Future destination
Green = Seasonal destination

Statistics

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Passengers

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Uruapan Airport Passengers. See Wikidata query.

Busiest routes

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Busiest routes at Uruapan International Airport (2023)[4]
Rank City Passengers Ranking Airline
1   Baja California, Tijuana 80,070   Volaris
2   United States, Los Angeles 7,321   Volaris


Accidents and incidents

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  • TAESA Flight 725, a DC-9, crashed on take-off from Uruapan International Airport en route to Mexico City on November 25, 1999, killing all 18 people on board.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Estadística Operacional de Aeropuertos / Statistics by Airport". Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  2. ^ "Líneas Aéreas Azteca". AerolineasMexicanas.com.mx. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Volaris to Fly From Uruapan to Los Angeles". Routes Online. August 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "Estadística operacional por origen-destino / Traffic Statistics by City Pairs" (in Spanish). Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. January 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  5. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety. November 1999. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
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