Fifty-four routes. Over 1,000 weekly flights at peak. And a terminal expansion that will double passenger capacity by late 2026. Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) is not just growing, it’s transforming into a world-class aviation hub.
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2025, PVR handled 6.9 million passengers, a 2.1% increase over the previous year. But that is only the beginning. Airport operator GAP is investing 9.2 billion pesos into Terminal 2, a 74,000-square-meter facility that will add 15 new gates and position PV to handle over 8 million travelers annually.
What makes this expansion noteworthy is not just the scale, but the vision. Terminal 2 will be the first net-zero terminal in Latin America, powered entirely by renewable energy with a solar-paneled roof. Faster customs processing and improved passenger flow are built into the design, addressing the seasonal bottlenecks that frustrated travelers during previous high seasons.
On the route map, 2025-2026 brings unprecedented connectivity. Alaska Airlines expanded its network with new nonstop service from Sacramento, St. Louis, and Kansas City, penetrating the U.S. Midwest beyond PV’s traditional West Coast stronghold. Southwest Airlines will launch Las Vegas service on June 6, 2026, breaking Alaska’s monopoly on that route and triggering the competitive “Southwest Effect” that typically drives fares down and demand up.
For visitors, this means more options and better prices when planning how to get to Puerto Vallarta. Whether you are flying direct from Denver, connecting through Houston Hobby, or arriving from one of the new Midwest gateways, reaching Banderas Bay has never been easier. Once you land, efficient ground transportation options connect the airport to hotels across the region.
Sources: Vallarta Daily; Gay PV
