Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, commonly called Guadalajara International Airport, is the principal air gateway for the city of Guadalajara and the surrounding state of Jalisco in Mexico. Opened in 1966, the airport expanded over decades to accommodate growing domestic and international travel and is widely recognized as one of Mexico's busiest airports.
Name and history
The facility bears the name of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a leading figure in Mexico's independence movement. Since its inauguration in the mid-20th century, the airport has evolved from a regional airfield into a multi-terminal complex supporting scheduled passenger services, cargo operations, charter flights and general aviation.
Facilities and layout
The airport complex includes passenger terminals, apron and cargo areas, and airside infrastructure designed to handle a mix of short-, medium- and long-haul services. It is commonly identified by the IATA code GDL. Passenger amenities typically include ticketing, baggage handling, shops, and ground transportation links serving travelers to the metropolitan area and nearby destinations.
Routes, airlines and services
Guadalajara International operates domestic flights across Mexico and international services connecting to destinations in North and Central America and beyond. In addition to scheduled airlines, the airport supports cargo carriers and seasonal charter services that bring tourists to regional attractions such as the Tequila region and Lake Chapala.
Access and importance
Accessible by road from Guadalajara and neighboring communities, the airport is an important economic and transportation hub for western Mexico. It facilitates business travel, tourism and freight movement, linking the region to national and international markets and helping support the local economy.
- Opened: 1966 (original terminal development and subsequent expansions)
- Functions: passenger, cargo, general aviation
- Significance: key gateway for Jalisco and western Mexico