Mexican authorities are working to reduce wait times at immigration checkpoints and expedite entry procedures. It is expected that waiting times will be further reduced with the introduction of digital passport control at the airport.
This year, tourists traveling to Cancun have reported exceptionally long lines at passport and customs checks. The problem was most concerning in March when travelers reported waiting times of up to two hours.
As the Mexican Caribbean prepares for a record-breaking summer season, officials believe the new changes will make travel through the airport more pleasant for visitors.
This year, immigration authorities have already taken steps to address excessive wait times at airports by hiring new staff during peak hours.
However, tourism leaders in Cancún warn that more needs to be done to improve immigration procedures and speed up other airport operations. This is particularly important given the large number of international visitors expected in Cancun this summer, especially from the United States.
According to Eduardo Dominguez Ibarra, vice president of the Cancun Hotel Association, waiting times at the airport have improved significantly.
During peak travel times, certain arrival halls have managed to reduce wait times from two hours to one hour. He claims that as a result of many discussions with immigration officials in March, the airport was able to speed up migration procedures such as passport and customs checks.
The National Institute of Migration (INM) is responsible for immigration controls in Mexico and is currently implementing new electronic border controls to help foreign arrivals in Cancun.
The new digitalized border controls, which use biometric technology, are a first at Mexican airports, and immigration officials are preparing to use them. In March, the airport announced the hiring of nearly 100 more border guards and customs officers to handle the increased passenger volume.
Waiting times also depend on the arrival terminal as well as the total number of scheduled flights, which greatly affects passenger flow.
According to April figures, the average wait time at Terminal 2 was less than 7 minutes. Terminals 3 and 4 reported typical wait times between 8 and 15 minutes.
However, at peak times, visitors can expect to wait up to an hour to go through immigration screening.
Despite the encouraging news, visitors still face long lines at customs, particularly for specific Caribbean and South American locations, which authorities intend to eliminate.
Furthermore, several companies that provide shuttle services for arriving visitors are experiencing delays in baggage handling, which tourism operators plan to address this year.