In 2017, 159 thousand people traveled through departmental airports in the country, 22% more than what was registered in 2016.
The Mundo Maya Intenational Airport, in Flores, Petén, was the busiest with 137,351 travelers, followed by Puerto Barrios Airport, Izabal, with 9,596 travelers. This aerodrome resumed operations on January 30, 2017, after having been renovated.
The airlines affiliated with the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), transported over 11.6 million passengers in June, 9.6% more than in the same month in 2011.
An article in Capital.com.pa reports that "traffic (Revenue Passenger Kilometers) increased by 11.5% and capacity (Available Seat Kilometers) grew by 8.1%, increasing the load factor to 76%, representing 2.3% more up to June last year, says the report released today. "
A drop to half the number of passengers in international air terminals is the reason for the decision to suspend expansion works and improvements.
From the 2.5 million people who used the international airport in previous years, less than half, about 1.2 million people now go through it, said Alejandro Sinibaldi, Minister of Communications.
The minister said the flow of tourists entering the airport La Aurora was reduced by 50 percent due to security problems and the withdrawal of some airlines flying to Guatemala, reported elPeriodico.com.gt.
In the first nine months of the year one million 411 thousand people visited the country, 10% more than in the same period of 2009.
Income reached $ 1,2 billion, 10.2% more than the same period last year.
"The January-September result confirmed the recovery trend that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) had foreseen, said the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism", published Laprensagrafica.com.