Airports in North America

Along with Del Norte International Airport, General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY) is the major hub for traffic to and from Monterrey, in northeast Mexico. The airport has three modern terminals which, although small, process about 5 million passengers each year.

Monterrey is considered one of the cleanest and safest cities in Mexico, and the airport shares this reputation. The airport is frequented by a large number of Mexican business travellers and the modern facilities are kept in great shape.

While most of the airport’s traffic is domestic (coming from cities such as Mexico City, Cancun, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana and Oaxaca), flights to General Mariano Escobedo Airport are available from several cities around the United States such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami.

Named after Mexico’s former president, Benito Juarez International Airport, also called Mexico City International Airport (MEX) is situated in the densely populated capital, Mexico City. It is the country’s busiest airport, serving approximately 24 million passengers per year, and once renovations are complete, it will be able to handle up to 32 million passengers per year.

In spite of developments, though, Mexico City International is far from being adequate for the huge number of travellers who use it each year. This is due to the fact that it is completely surrounded by buildings, making expansion of the airfield impossible. Long queues and delays are common occurrences, which is why many travellers use Toluca Airport as an alternative.

Fortunately, however, Mexico City International offers much in the way of amenities, including a wide selection of dining and retail establishments, as well as business and conference facilities, most of which are located in Terminal 2. Terminal 1, by contrast, is old and outdated and lacks sufficient signage and lighting.   

Just as sun-worshipping vacationers can’t get enough of Cancun, the airport never seems to stop growing. The close proximity of Cancun International Airport (CUN) to the most popular beach resorts in Mexico draws 12.4 million passengers through its gates each year, second only to the giant Mexico City International Airport in terms of traffic.

Flights to Cancun Airport are plentiful, and you’ll have no trouble finding them from nearly any major airport, including London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, Santiago de Chile, Lisbon and Amsterdam.

Because of the massive popularity of the beach resorts in Cancun, the airport is almost constantly overrun with tourists, especially in the peak summer and spring break seasons. Facilities and service in the airport are geared toward this crowd, so the airport is clean and efficient with all the modern comforts of home.

Located just eight miles (15km) from Scarborough, Tobago's capital, Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport (TAB) – formerly known as Crown Point International Airport – is the Caribbean island of Tobago's sole air transport hub. Not as popular as Piarco International Airport (located on the other isle of the twin-island republic, Trinidad), it is nevertheless a convenient access-point for Caribbean holidays.

Flights to Tobago via ANR Robinson International Airport (as it is commonly known) are irregular and limited – mainly consisting of connections to London, and to other Caribbean destinations such as Grenada and Barbados.

ANR Robinson International Airport is a very basic, informal kind of airport – perfectly in harmony with the relaxed, sanguine attitude to life that characterizes the island at large. There are, currently, major plans for renovation and improvement at the airport (forming part of the Vision 2020 program) – but, as you'd guess, things are happening slowly.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the largest airports, both in the United States and in the world. It is also one of the top ten busiest airports worldwide. Denver International Airport’s beautifully constructed rooftops, which are said to resemble the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, are conveniently located just 25 miles (40km) from downtown Denver.

An airport the size of Denver International is sure to have ample shopping opportunities for both domestic and international travellers. Passengers using the airport who are not keen on shopping will find that there are many other activities and distractions at the airport, including beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and a number of commissioned art pieces located throughout the terminal buildings.

United Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines and Frontier Airlines all use Denver International Airport as a hub. Flights to Denver International Airport are available from most airports across the United States, such as LA, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Chicago; and from many international destinations including London, Cancun, Toronto and Frankfurt.

An airport the size of Denver International Airport is sure to impress even those travellers who think they've seen it all. However, it seems that this airport goes one step further. Not only does the design of the airport highlight the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, but it also has an environmental management system in place that aims to make the airport itself a more environmentally-friendly place - perfect for travellers wishing to keep their carbon footprint in mind.

One of the busiest airports in Florida, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is an important hub for cruise passengers headed to the Everglades, and for connections between the Caribbean and North America.

Second only to Miami International Airport for southern Florida traffic, you’ll find flights to Fort Lauderdale International Airport from cities such as Chicago, New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Boston, Montreal, Port-au-Prince, Cancun, Guatemala City, Nassau and Kingston.

A sprawling structure serving more than 22 million passengers each year, the airport’s four terminals are only accessible by shuttle, but friendly staff members are always on hand to help you get where you need to go.

Facilities and entertainment are adequate and many frequent flyers love its efficient processing times and budget airlines, choosing Fort Lauderdale as a convenient alternative to the bustle of Miami International.

Named after the first prime minister of Barbados, Grantley Adams International Airport (BIG) is the Eastern Caribbean’s main airport. Located in Christchurch, Barbados, 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the capital city Bridgetown, there are flights to Grantley Adams International Airport from cities around Europe, Canada, Central and South America, Africa as well as neighbouring Caribbean islands.

In the past decade the airport received a much-needed upgrade. The addition of a second terminal allowed for separate arrivals and departures areas - although the old and new terminal appear as one thanks to a tented atrium that joins them together.

With marble floors, colourful mosaics and completely refurbished interiors, Grantley Adams International is a compact yet spacious airport with a relaxed and modern feel. Improved check-in and baggage claim facilities and a brand new retail concourse, in addition to friendly and helpful staff and reliable transport, ensure a pleasant experience.

Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) is located 22 miles (35km) from Halifax city centre. It is Canada’s seventh-busiest airport, serving more than 3.5 million passengers each year. Flights to Halifax International arrive from across Canada, the US and Europe.

Since 1998, extensive construction has been underway, including runway renovations and terminal and car park expansions. Efforts are also being focused on improving the aesthetics of the airport with an observation deck and terminal upgrades. Perhaps one of the most significant enhancements at the airport is its new pre-clearance area, which saves travellers a lot of time when boarding a flight to the US.

Currently in the seventh and final phase of its Airport Restoration Program, Halifax International will see taxiway and aircraft apron renovations in 2011. Delays are to be expected, but the program will soon have the airport in better shape than ever.