Cozumel Intl

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ICAO Code MMCZ/CZM
Last Validated Jan 2007
City Cozumel, Q.Roo
Position 20°31'21"N 086°55'32"W
Runway(s) 05/23, 11/29
Elevation 16 ft

General

The airport on Cozumel island is one of the gateways to this diver's paradise, located just off Mexico's Caribbean coast. Many tourists visiting the island arrive by plane or via nearby Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the mainland, hopping over to Cozumel in small aircraft. The Mexican air force has a unit based here as well. The east side of the airfield has a lack of roads and is well hidden behind tropical vegetation. Views are only possible from the west side.

Layout

Constructed as a large US military airbase during World War II, Cozumel's layout differs considerably from other Mexican airfields. Only runway 11/29 is currently in use, the longer 05/23 has been closed. The civil terminal can be found on the south side of runway 11/29, whereas the military occupies the western part of the airfield.

Getting There

The island can be reached by plane, on your Caribbean cruise or by ferry from the mainland. Ferries depart from Playa del Carmen (passengers only) and Puerto Morelos (cars). The ferry from Playa del Carmen is ran by Cruceros Maritimos and Ultramar, both charge about $8 for a return ticket. The airport is located north east of the ferry terminal, either a 30 minute walk or a taxi collectivo.

Around the Airport

1South side approach 11

Follow the boulevard to the north from Cozumel village. As the military compound on your right is fenced off by a wall, no views are possible from this road. To view the aircraft landing at runway 11, go left to the beach once the lanes of the road divide. Views are very nice here until about 03.00pm.

2Military gate & aprons

Continue north on the boulevard and you will pass the military gate. Unlike the rest of the airfield, there is no wall and you might get a glimpse of the military aprons. A visitors platform is situated between the two runways, right behind the gate, and the platform and hangars just south of the 11 threshold house the PC-7s.

3North side approach 11

The north side of approach 11 can be reached by following the road to the north and hopping back to the beach. This spot is best in the early morning.

4Terminal

Views from the south side of the airfield are very scarce, mainly because of the vegetation. The left side of the terminal offers some possibilities, but is not suitable for photography. The best spot here is probably airside.

Although no longer in use with Mexicana, this 727 was taken at spot 1 (Matthew Lee, contrailsphotography).

Frequencies

118.100Tower
119.800Departure Cancun
120.400Approach & arrival Cancun

Based Operators

EA.201PC-7
AerolamsaBN-2A-III, Ce182, Ce401, Gavilan
PegasoAS350, Bo105, BK117, EC135, EC145, Lj31

Preserved

972T-28A, near gate military compound
973T-28A, in front of military airfield gate
XA-LIZBN-2A-3, ex Aerocozumel, stored south east side
XA-RJOF-27J, ex Aerocaribe, dumped south east side
Airliners.netCozumel approach runway 11

Order of Battle Mexico

Mexico - Air Force
Mexico - Navy
Mexico - National Guard
Mexico - Navy Ships
Mexico - State Security Organisations

Other Airfields

Acapulco - Gen. Juan N. Alvarez Intl  
Cancun Intl  
Chilpancingo  
Cozumel Intl  
Mexico City - Lic. Benito Juarez Intl
Oaxaca - Xoxocotlán Intl  
Pie de la Cuesta  
Playa del Carmen - Jorge Chavez
Saliña Cruz
Santa Lucia  
Tulum  

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