Palenque International Airport
Also known as: Palenque Airport, PQM Airport.
Private transfer from PQMSee pricesSee pricesAbout Palenque International Airport
Palenque International Airport (PQM) serves the town of Palenque in northern Chiapas, Mexico, the gateway to the Maya ruins of Palenque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits about 5 km from town and about 3 km from the Palenque station of the Tren Maya.
Airline service is limited to one route: Mexicana flies to Mexico City's Felipe Ángeles airport, a service that started in January 2024 after nearly four years without scheduled flights. The airport handled about 17,000 passengers in 2025. Many visitors instead arrive by Tren Maya from the Yucatán Peninsula or by road from Villahermosa.
The airport has one small, single-story terminal with check-in, security, baggage claim and an arrivals hall. The departure concourse has three gates, and passengers walk across the apron to the aircraft. The airport officially operates from 9:00 to 18:00.
From the airport, travelers head to Palenque town and the ruins, the Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls, and the Maya sites of Bonampak and Yaxchilán.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (GAFSACOMM), since 2023
- Runway
One runway, 10/28, 2,500 m
- Passengers per year
About 17,000 in 2025
- Opening hours
9:00 to 18:00
Arrival tips for Palenque International Airport
Palenque has one small terminal, and you walk across the apron from the aircraft to the building.
The only scheduled flight comes from Mexico City, so you go straight to baggage claim without passing immigration. Collect your bags and walk into the arrivals hall.
The airport is small and flights are few, so arrange your ride before you land: a pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to reach your hotel in Palenque town or near the ruins. If you booked a transfer, your driver waits for you in the arrivals hall or just outside the terminal doors.
The airport operates from 9:00 to 18:00. If you are continuing by Tren Maya, the Palenque station is about 3 km away.
Ground transportation
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Book a transfer from PQMPrivate transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you to Palenque town, a hotel near the ruins or the Tren Maya station. It is the easiest option given how few flights land here.
Taxi from Palenque airport
Taxis may not wait for every flight, so arrange a ride in advance rather than counting on one at the terminal.
Terminals
Main terminal
The only passenger terminal, a single-story building with three gates.
Airlines and destinations
Mexicana Main terminal
Mexico City (AIFA)
Facilities
Check-in
Check-in counters in the main terminal.
Baggage claim
On the arrivals side of the terminal.
Arrivals hall
Where drivers and pickups meet arriving passengers.
Departure gates
Three gates with direct access to the apron.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Request wheelchair or mobility assistance through your airline when you book, and confirm it at least 48 hours before you fly.
Reduced mobility
Passengers walk across the apron and board by stairs, so tell your airline in advance if you need help getting on or off the aircraft.
Service animals
Rules for service and emotional support animals are set by each airline, so check with yours before you travel and carry the required documents.
Assistance on arrival
Airline staff meet passengers who requested assistance at the aircraft and accompany them to baggage claim and the arrivals hall.
Parking
Airport parking
Parking is available at the terminal for drop-offs, pickups and longer stays.
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines fly to Palenque airport?
Only one: Mexicana flies between Palenque and Mexico City's Felipe Ángeles International Airport. The route started in January 2024, after nearly four years without scheduled flights. Travelers from other cities connect in Mexico City or arrive by Tren Maya or road.
How far is Palenque airport from the ruins?
Palenque International Airport is about 5 km from Palenque town, and the Maya ruins lie a short drive beyond the town. Most visitors use a pre-booked transfer from the airport to their hotel in town or near the archaeological zone.
Is Palenque airport near the Tren Maya station?
Yes. The Palenque station of the Tren Maya, opened in January 2024, is about 3 km from the airport. The train links Palenque with the Yucatán Peninsula, so you can combine a flight from Mexico City with a train journey toward Mérida, Cancún or Tulum.
What are Palenque airport's opening hours?
Palenque International Airport officially operates from 9:00 to 18:00 local time, Central Standard Time. Flights are scheduled within those hours, so plan your ride from the airport around your flight's arrival time.
What time zone is Palenque airport in?
Palenque airport uses Central Standard Time (UTC−6) all year, the same as Mexico City. Mexico no longer observes daylight saving time in this region, so flight times on your ticket are in Central Standard Time throughout the year.