Ixtepec Airport

Summary

Ixtepec Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto de Ixtepec) (IATA: IZT, ICAO: MMIT) is an airport located in Asunción Ixtaltepec, Oaxaca. Serving as Air Force Base No. 3 for the Mexican Air Force, it functions not only as a military facility but also facilitates commuter flights within Oaxaca. Additionally, it supports general aviation activities for the Istmo Region, encompassing cities such as Juchitan, Salina Cruz, Tehuantepec, and Ixtepec in Oaxaca. Since 2023, Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (OMM), a holding company owned by the Mexican military, has been managing the airport. Alternative larger airports include Huatulco International Airport, located 145 kilometres (90 mi) to the west of Ixtepec, and Oaxaca International Airport, situated 185 kilometres (115 mi) to the northwest of Ixtepec. In 2021, Ixtepec Airport served 6,778 passengers, with a slight increase to 7,696 in 2022.[1]

Ixtepec Airport

Aeropuerto de Ixtepec
Summary
Airport typeMilitary/Public
OperatorGrupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica
ServesIstmo Region of Oaxaca, Mexico (including Juchitán, Salina Cruz, Tehuantepec, and Ixtepec
LocationAsunción Ixtaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico
Time zoneCST (UTC−06:00)
Elevation AMSL31 m / 102 ft
Coordinates16°26′44″N 095°05′35″W / 16.44556°N 95.09306°W / 16.44556; -95.09306
Websitegrupoolmecamayamexica.com.mx/aeropuertos/aeropuerto_ixtepec.html
Map
IZT is located in Oaxaca
IZT
IZT
Location of airport in Oaxaca
IZT is located in Mexico
IZT
IZT
IZT (Mexico)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
18/36 2,330 7,644 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Total passengers7,696
Ranking in Mexico52nd Steady
Source: Olmeca-Maya-Mexica

History edit

The first flight in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region happened on May 28, 1935, during Juchitán's patron saint festivities. The airbase was built during World War II, alongside the Cozumel Airport. Mexicana de Aviación took over the military field after the war in 1945, managed by the operator Industrias y Terrenos. Operations shifted back to the federal government in 1949, transforming it into a Mexican Air Force Base by 1950.

In its history, the airport has predominantly operated as an Air Force Base, maintaining this role even after notable developments in 2017. During that year, a substantial investment of approximately 300 million Mexican pesos (around 17 million USD) was made to develop facilities suitable for civilian use.[2] Passenger services commenced that year, marked by Aeromar's inaugural flight from Mexico City to Ixtepec on April 26, 2017.[3] Aeromar continued operations until it declared bankruptcy in 2023.

Facilities edit

The airport is situated at an elevation of 31 metres (102 ft) above mean sea level, featuring a single asphalt runway, designated as 18/36, measuring 2,330 metres (7,640 ft). The commercial aviation apron has the capacity for two narrow-body aircraft and features additional stands for general aviation. The passenger terminal caters to both domestic arrivals and departures in a single-story small building. It includes a check-in area, a security checkpoint, an arrivals hall with baggage claim facilities and a departure concourse with direct access to the apron, allowing passengers to board their planes by walking to the aircraft.

The majority of the airport grounds are occupied by Air Force Base No. 2 (Spanish: Base Aérea Militar No. 3 Ixtepec) (B.A.M. No. 2). This base is the home of the 402nd Air Squadron, operating T-6 Texan II aircraft, and the first surveillance squadron, utilizing C-26 and Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. Adjacent facilities include hangars for civil aviation, administration offices, housing units, a hospital, and other amenities for accommodating Air Force personnel.[4]

Airlines and destinations edit

Passenger edit

AirlinesDestinations
Aerotucán Oaxaca
Mexicana de Aviación Mexico City–AIFA

Destinations map edit

 
 
Ixtepec
class=notpageimage|
Domestic destinations from Ixtepec Airport
Red = Year-round destination
Blue = Future destination
Green = Seasonal destination

Statistics edit

Passengers edit

Ixtepec Airport Passengers. See Wikidata query.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Estadística Operacional de los Aeropuertos de la Red ASA". Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (in Spanish). January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Habilitan aeropuerto de Ixtepec civil-militar". EnElAire. March 2017.
  3. ^ "Arriba al Istmo de Tehuantepec primer vuelo de la CDMX". El Universal. April 2017.
  4. ^ "Bases Aéreas. Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional".

External links edit

  •   Media related to Ixtepec Airport at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official Website
  • Grupo Olmeca Maya Mexica
  • Aeronautical chart and airport information for MMIT at SkyVector
  • Current weather for MMIT at NOAA/NWS
  • Accident history for IZT at Aviation Safety Network
  • Iztepec Airport information at Great Circle Mapper
  • Oaxaca Airports
  • Air bases in Mexico