Cancún Airport Expansion:
What It Means for Puerto Morelos Travelers

Cancún International Airport is getting a major makeover, and if you live in Puerto Morelos or travel regularly from the airport, you'll want to know what's coming.

 

The airport operator ASUR is reopening Terminal 1 and expanding Terminal 4 throughout 2026, which will change how travelers move through the airport for months to come.

 

Terminal 1 Returns After Years Offline

 

Terminal 1 has been mostly closed for several years, but that's about to change. ASUR says construction is well underway.

 

ASUR’s Terminal 1 project is targeted for mid-2026, with some reporting and airport leadership citing the second half of 2026 as the likely window.

 

This is big news because Cancún's airport has been handling record numbers of passengers, and the existing terminals have been getting crowded.

 

Once Terminal 1 opens, airlines will likely move some flights there from Terminals 2, 3, and 4. This means your usual airline might assign you to a different terminal than you're used to.

 

Terminal 4 Gets Bigger Too

 

While Terminal 1 is being rebuilt, Terminal 4 is also expanding. The second phase of this project is nearly finished and includes new boarding gates and other airside improvements.

 

These improvements should help reduce the long lines and congestion that travelers have complained about in recent years.

 

Some reporting says roadway access around the airport is also being improved, which could affect traffic patterns during construction. This is important for Puerto Morelos residents who drive to the airport regularly.

 

Why All This Expansion Now?

 

Passenger traffic at Cancún airport jumped 16 percent through September 2025. And the airport expects even more travelers in 2026 because Mexico is hosting the FIFA World Cup in June and July. 

 

Although Cancún isn't a host city, the tournament will bring thousands of extra visitors to the region. 

 

What You Should Do

 

If you're planning to fly out of Cancún in 2026, give yourself extra time at the airport. Construction and traffic changes could slow things down during the transition period.

 

Check your airline's website before you go to confirm which terminal you'll be using.

 

Once the projects wrap up, the airport should run much more smoothly. Shorter lines at security, check-in, and immigration are on the horizon for Puerto Morelos travelers and everyone else using Cancún's airport.