General Rafael Buelna International Airport
Also known as: Mazatlán Airport, MZT Airport, Aeropuerto de Mazatlán, Mazatlán International Airport.
Private transfer from MZTSee pricesSee pricesAbout General Rafael Buelna International Airport
General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT), better known as Mazatlán International Airport, serves Mazatlán in the state of Sinaloa, on Mexico's Pacific coast. It sits about 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city center.
Most visitors come from the United States and Canada. Alaska Airlines flies from Los Angeles, American from Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix and United from Houston, while WestJet links Mazatlán with Montréal and, in winter, with several other Canadian cities. Viva Aerobus, Volaris, Aeroméxico, Mexicana and TAR connect the city with Mexico City, Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara and other Mexican cities. The airport handled about 1.74 million passengers in 2025.
All flights use one two-story terminal. Domestic flights board from Satellite A and international flights from Satellite B, and arrivals, immigration, customs and baggage claim are on the ground floor.
From the airport, most travelers head to the hotels of the Golden Zone, the Malecón seafront, Old Mazatlán and its historic center, the cruise port, or north to Marina Mazatlán, Cerritos, Nuevo Mazatlán and Emerald Bay.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA)
- Runway
One asphalt runway, 08/26, 2,700 m (8,858 ft)
- Passengers per year
About 1.74 million in 2025
- Terminal
One terminal with two satellites: A for domestic and B for international flights
Arrival tips for General Rafael Buelna International Airport
Arrivals are on the ground floor of the terminal. On an international flight you reach Mexican immigration first: have your passport ready, and if you registered your digital FMM before the flight, keep its QR code to hand. The officer records your entry and tells you how long you may stay.
Collect your bags at the carousel shown for your flight, and report missing or damaged luggage at your airline's desk before you leave baggage claim. Then go through customs with your customs declaration.
In the arrivals hall you pass the authorized taxi booth, transport desks and car-rental counters, and people selling tours or timeshare presentations may approach you. If you already have a booking, keep walking: pre-booked drivers wait at the arrivals exit, outside the main doors.
Mazatlán is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) all year, one hour behind Mexico City. Have some pesos for tips and small purchases, and keep WhatsApp or mobile data ready to reach your driver.
Ground transportation
A pre-booked transfer or an authorized taxi suits most travelers; shared vans cost less per person but stop at several hotels.
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Book a transfer from MZTPrivate transfer from Mazatlán airport
A driver meets you at the arrivals exit and goes straight to your hotel or rental in the Golden Zone, Old Mazatlán, Marina Mazatlán or Nuevo Mazatlán. The most comfortable choice with luggage or a group.
Authorized airport taxi
Buy a fixed-fare ticket for your area at the Transportación Terrestre booth inside the arrivals hall, then show it to the dispatcher outside. The Golden Zone is around 25 to 35 minutes away; at busy times you may wait for a car.
Shared shuttle van
Shared vans from the same booth serve hotels across the city. Cheaper per person, but they may wait to fill seats and make several stops before yours.
Car rental
Car-rental counters are in the ground-floor arrivals area. Useful for trips beyond the city, though hotels in the Golden Zone and Old Mazatlán are easy to reach without a car.
Terminals
Airlines can change satellite with the season, so check your boarding pass or airline app.
Main terminal
The two-story main building. Check-in, arrivals, immigration, customs and baggage claim are on the ground floor; security, the food court, duty-free shops and the VIP lounge are upstairs.
Satellite A
Domestic flights. Gates 7 and 9 upstairs have jet bridges, and gates 6, 8 and 10 on the ground floor board from the apron.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, TAR México, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
Satellite B
International flights, mainly from the United States and Canada, at gates 1 to 5.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada Rouge, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Currency exchange
A currency-exchange office is in the terminal. Compare the posted rate with an ATM withdrawal before you change cash.
ATMs
ATMs are available in the terminal. Check the exchange rate and fees before accepting a conversion offered by the machine.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.
Food court and snack bars
A food court, cafés and a bar are in the upstairs departure area, and snack bars are in the ground-floor arrivals area.
Duty-free shopping
Duty-free shops are in the upstairs departure area, after security.
Souvenir and handicraft shops
Shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, convenience goods and accessories are in the public and departure areas.
Car-rental desks
Car-rental counters are in the arrivals area on the ground floor.
Baggage wrapping
A suitcase-wrapping service is on the ground floor.
Lost and found
The lost-and-found office is on the ground floor and opens on weekdays. For luggage that did not arrive, go to your airline's desk before leaving baggage claim.
Airport lounges
OMA Premium Lounge
In the upstairs departure area. Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or Diners Club, or by paid entry; check hours and conditions with the lounge before you fly.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Ask your airline for wheelchair service or other help when you book, or at least 48 hours before you fly. Assistance is arranged by the airline and its ground-handling company.
Reduced mobility
Gates 6, 8 and 10 in Satellite A board from the apron rather than by jet bridge. Tell your airline in advance if you need help boarding or leaving the aircraft.
Service animals
Confirm the documents and travel conditions for a service animal with your airline before you fly.
Assistance on arrival
If you requested assistance, tell the cabin crew before you leave the aircraft so airline staff can meet you.
Parking
Short-term and long-term parking lots are at the terminal. Rates and payment methods can change, so check the posted rate board on entry and keep your ticket safe.
Short-term parking
In front of the terminal, for drop-offs, pickups and short visits.
Long-term parking
For travelers leaving a car while they fly; check the posted daily rate on entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official name of Mazatlán airport?
Mazatlán's airport is officially called General Rafael Buelna International Airport, after a general of the Mexican Revolution. Travelers, airlines and booking sites usually call it Mazatlán International Airport or simply Mazatlán Airport. Its IATA code is MZT and its ICAO code is MMMZ, so look for MZT on your ticket and baggage tags.
How far is Mazatlán airport from the Golden Zone?
Mazatlán airport is about 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city, and the Golden Zone hotels are around 25 to 35 minutes away by road, depending on traffic. Old Mazatlán and the historic center are a little closer, while Marina Mazatlán, Cerritos and Nuevo Mazatlán, farther north along the coast, take longer.
How many terminals does Mazatlán airport have?
Mazatlán airport has one two-story terminal with two satellites. Domestic flights use Satellite A and international flights, mainly from the United States and Canada, use Satellite B at gates 1 to 5. Check-in, arrivals, immigration, customs and baggage claim are all on the ground floor of the main building.
Which airlines fly to Mazatlán?
Alaska Airlines flies from Los Angeles, American Airlines from Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix, and United from Houston. WestJet flies from Montréal and, in winter, from several Canadian cities, and Delta and Sun Country add seasonal flights from Minneapolis. Viva Aerobus, Volaris, Aeroméxico, Mexicana and TAR link Mazatlán with Mexico City, Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara and other Mexican cities.
Can I fly direct to Mazatlán from the United States or Canada?
Yes. Year-round nonstop flights connect Mazatlán with Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, and WestJet flies from Montréal. In the winter season, more nonstop flights arrive from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Minneapolis. Seasonal schedules change each year, so check with the airline for your dates.
What do I need to enter Mexico at Mazatlán airport?
You need a valid passport, plus a visa if your nationality requires one. At immigration your entry is recorded as a digital FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple), and you can register it online with Mexico's immigration institute before you fly to speed things up. After baggage claim you go through customs with Mexico's customs declaration.
What time zone is Mazatlán in?
Mazatlán is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC−7) all year, as is the rest of Sinaloa. It is one hour behind Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, and the clocks do not change for daylight saving time. If you connect through Mexico City, remember the hour difference when planning your arrival.
How do I get a taxi at Mazatlán airport?
Authorized airport taxis are sold at the Transportación Terrestre booth inside the arrivals hall. Tell the staff where you are going, pay the fixed fare for your area, and show the ticket to the dispatcher outside, who assigns a car. Shared vans are sold at the same booth and cost less per person but stop at several hotels.
Is there a lounge at Mazatlán airport?
Yes. The OMA Premium Lounge is in the upstairs departure area of the terminal. Entry is with a Priority Pass, LoungeKey or Diners Club membership, or by paying at the door, and stays are limited. Hours depend on the flight schedule and can change, so check the conditions with the lounge before you travel.
Is there currency exchange at Mazatlán airport?
Yes. Mazatlán airport has a currency-exchange office and ATMs in the terminal, so you can get Mexican pesos on arrival. Compare the posted exchange rate with an ATM withdrawal, and decline a conversion offered by the ATM or card terminal so your bank sets the rate. Keep some pesos in small bills for tips and small purchases.
Where can I park at Mazatlán airport?
Mazatlán airport has short-term and long-term parking lots beside the terminal. The short-term lot suits drop-offs, pickups and short visits, while the long-term lot is for travelers leaving a car while they fly. Rates and payment methods can change, so check the rate board posted at the entrance and keep your parking ticket safe.
How early should I arrive at Mazatlán airport for my flight?
A common guideline is to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight from Mazatlán. Allow more time during the winter high season, Easter week and Carnaval, when many flights leave close together and lines at check-in and security grow. Always follow your airline's own recommendation.
Is Mazatlán airport the same as Culiacán airport?
No. Mazatlán's airport (MZT) serves Mazatlán and its beach areas on the southern Sinaloa coast. Culiacán International Airport (CUL) is a separate airport serving the state capital, Culiacán, farther north in Sinaloa. If you are staying in the Golden Zone, Old Mazatlán or Nuevo Mazatlán, book your flight to MZT.