San Jose Del Cabo International Airport
The following is a summary of a trip report covering San Jose Del Cabo International Airport following a
visit from our Global Vendor Team.
Report Details
• Visit Date: 4/21/2024
• Country: Mexico
• Airport Name: San Jose Del Cabo International Airport
• ICAO Code: MMSD
Airport General Information
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San Jose Del Cabo International Airport, managed by private company Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, is the biggest and most important airport in the Los Cabos region. It’s a seasonal location, with the highseason between November and April. The peak days are during Christmas time, and it is not unusual for the airport to be at 100% capacity around the holidays. The airport is open from 0700 to 2100 LCL (with extensions to 2300 LCL being granted on special occasions) and, like Cabo San Lucas, has one runway (16/34) and one taxiway. There are three well-defined areas at the airport. Two are for commercial traffic, and one is for general aviation. Domestic commercial traffic will go to Terminal 1, international commercial aircraft will go to Terminal 2, and the FBO building manages all the GA aircraft. There is no designated cargo area currently. The one that has been set aside in the past is used by Customs as a warehouse.
For GA departures, there is a security checkpoint before being able to access the FBO building. Once through the checkpoint, passengers can either park or be dropped off at the main door. The handling agent being used should be waiting to assist with any luggage, which stays with the passengers until they are scanned by security. The passengers will not see their luggage until all the paperwork is completed.
While the passengers are going through security, the handling agent assists with passport control. After clearing security, there is an automatic door that opens to the apron, and the passengers can exit to walk to the aircraft (or ride a golf cart). The whole process, after starting through security, takes around 10 minutes.
For the GA arrival process, all the luggage and passengers must enter the FBO building (golf carts are available for transport across the ramp) for CIQ processing. Immigration will check all the passports, then the passengers must push the button of the “traffic light.” If it is green, Customs will not check the person’s luggage. If it is red, they will. Once the process is complete, they are taken to the landside doors where their vehicle should be waiting for them. The security, Customs, and Immigration staff are always the same, so it’s a big advantage since they are always used to dealing with general aviation passengers and crew.
When it comes to fuel, all positions (both GA and commercial) must use fuel trucks, even the four hydrant positions at Terminal 2. During the very high season, fueling delays may become an issue. The handling agent will inform the crew to refuel the day before or to come to the airport at least 4 hours before departure when the situation warrants and fuel was not taken on arrival.
Airport Location
Travel to/from Downtown San Jose Del Cabo: 11 Kms / 6.3 Miles
Time to/from Downtown San Jose Del Cabo: Usual [Rush-hour]: 15 mins / Rush Hour – 15-40 mins
Travel to/from Downtown Cabo San Lucas: 43 Kms / 26.7 Miles
Time to/from Downtown Cabo San Lucas: Usual [Rush-hour]: 35 mins / Rush Hour 35-55 mins
General Aviation Area Description
Approx. number of aircraft accommodated: 60+ parking positions
Number of GA ground handlers: 3
Handler Notes: Third-party employees who handle flights must meet the crew in the FBO building. They cannot be on the ramp.
Ramp controlled by Airport, GAT, or FBOs: Airport
Distance between GA area and main terminal: 260m (853 feet) to domestic terminal; 855m (2800 feet) to international terminal
GA permits and slot required: Landing Permit
Notice required for permits and slots: Minimum 1 hour for permits
Notes for GA parking: The parking is controlled by the airport control tower. The ramp has a huge capacity in front of the FBO building with more than 60 positions. In case there are any parking problems, the commercial ramp may be used as well, especially when there is a BBJ or ACJ.
Most of the positions are autonomous, so no pushback is necessary, however, there are a few where a pushback will be needed.
There is no hangar space available at this airport currently, but one is under construction by the airport authority,
called GAP.
Handling Notes: The three main handling agents are permitted to work in the FBO building, but they are not allowed to perform any ramp functions (even driving crews and passengers to/from the ramp and FBO). All ramp functions are completed by GAP personnel, who will only work with the handling agents and will not work directly with a flight crew. GAP owns and controls all the GA ground equipment, and they own the handling agent
PrimeSky.
FBO Building Notes: The handling agents’ offices are on the right when entering from the landside, but fully
covered by a wall and unable to be seen. Two people from PrimeSky will be at the door greeting passengers and
directing them to their correct handling agent. A bar is on the far left, and close to it are different semi-private
areas, including private restroom facilities and VIP spaces, for passengers to wait if they need to. These areas
provide the capacity to handle several trips at the same time. There are a couple of spaces for crews, including a
small flight plan office with one person helping with the flight plans. Finally, WI-FI is complementary.
Commercial Area Description
Approx. number of aircraft accommodated: 11 at the domestic terminal, 11 at the international terminal
Number of Commercial ground handlers: Two
Types of commercial traffic using the airport: Airlines
Commercial permit and slots required: Landing permit
Notice period for commercial slots and permits: 10 days for landing permits
Notes for commercial parking: Full equipment for the commercial airlines is available
Technical Stop Location
MMSD is not considered a good tech stop for two main reasons. First, quick access to fuel can be an issue during
peak hours and seasons. Second, the airport is not open 24/7, which could be problematic.
Customs & Immigration
Customs and Immigration are cleared in the FBO building, which also houses SENEAM's office.
Ground Transportation
Each of the handling agents uses a different third-party provider for ground transportation, depending on the
services they have received and their agreements. All of them are reliable.
Catering
As with ground transportation, each of the handling agents has its own catering provider. ICCS owns its catering
company, “Baja Catering.” They are the operators of the bar in the FBO building.
Security
Security Level: 4
Increased threat of kidnapping on intercity buses departing Reynosa, Tamaulipas state - On 11 July 2024, the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros continues to receive reports of organized kidnappings for ransom occurring on intercity buses departing Reynosa, Tamaulipas, operated by the transportation company Omnibus. The Department of State's Travel Advisory for Tamaulipas is Level 4 - Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping. "These kidnappings have occurred predominantly in the evenings on Omnibus buses departing south from the main Reynosa bus terminal. Kidnappers have specifically targeted passengers with connections to the United States, including U.S. citizens and residents. Victims report their belongings and documents are stolen, bank accounts emptied, and their families are forced to pay ransoms of thousands of dollars for each victim." Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling
Morena party won the presidential election held on 2 June. Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, is expected to take office on 1 October and will be Mexico's first female president. Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party has served as president of Mexico since his inauguration on 1 December 2018. AMLO's approach to combating Mexico's elevated homicide rates and systemic corruption has produced mixed results. Drug cartel violence is a significant concern throughout Mexico, particularly near the country's northern border with the U.S., the Pacific Coast states of Guerrero, Jalisco, and Michoacán, as well as the central state of Guanajuato. The Mexican government has faced an increasing number of economic challenges in recent years, including the cultivation of private investment in the energy sector,
improving infrastructure, and overhauling the public education system. Drug cartel-related violence remains one of Mexico's most significant concerns. While drug cartel violence does not usually directly target foreign travelers, collateral risks have increased significantly throughout the country. Heavily armed self-defense groups formed in Michoacán and Guerrero states have clashed with cartels and security forces. General crime is a significant concern for travelers to Mexico. The types of crime commonly encountered, however, vary widely in different areas of the country. Kidnapping for ransom is a serious concern throughout Mexico. Highway robberies, carjacking, and poor infrastructure affect transportation in Mexico. Protests have the potential to disrupt transportation, especially in major cities. There is a risk of isolated confrontations between police officers and protesters. Rampant corruption among all levels of government and the business community is a concern for foreign travelers and businesses in Mexico.
*This information is provided by United Healthcare Global Risk
Handler Information
List the names of the Handlers and any relevant information about them. Rather than listing out the contact
information, we will tell them to log in to myWorld App or Online Flight Planning for details.
• Prime Sky
• ICCS
• ASM Corp
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