According to Erwin González, a member of the Aerodromes Administration of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), in February 2025, a plan to formally categorize to the Los Altos airport as International was launched. The inauguration, according to estimates, could be carried out on December 15, 2026. The Central American region and Mexico could be the main destinations, according to Motty Rodas, director of the Association of Airlines of Guatemala (AGLA).
It was on August 4, 2023 when the DGAC announced the internationalization of Los Altos airport, in Quetzaltenango. However, since 2024 it was stressed that the airfield does not meet the minimum standards to declare itself as such.
Rhodes explained that airlines that could show greater interest in this airport would be Mexican and Central American, due to their location and track size, which, according to Rhodes, is not large enough. On the other hand, Jorge García, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala, subsidiary Quetzaltenango, said that the direct flights that would benefit both commercial and corporate tourism would be the ones that connect with Mexico and El Salvador.
According to González, the Plan to categorize the current airfield as International is chaired by the Departmental Government of Quetzaltenango, some deputies in the region, the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing (CIV), the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) and members of civil society, in addition to the DGAC. “There is a specific plan already defined and with specific dates to achieve this project in December 2026,” González said.
Route map for the Altos Aerodrome
González said that the decision was made to initiate the execution of the project in February of this year, so, as of last month, they began with the necessary aeronautical definitions, which they hope to complete during the first quarter of 2026.
This year, according to González, they will work on the preparation of the terms of reference and in the elaboration of the bases for the tenders of certain required supplies, such as the acquisition of a remote control tower and a motobomb for aeronautical firefighters. In addition, González added that they are carrying out all the necessary aeronautical definitions for the integration of the communications of the area.
Likewise, González stressed that, during 2025, the contracting of the design and its development, the planning and execution of the rain drains of the airport will be carried out, as well as the design, planning and construction of the entire electrical system.
By 2026, the following planning was established with the maximum execution dates:
- April 2026: Interinstitutional protocols for international operations.
- August 2026: Have fire extinction service.
- September 2026: Completion of everything related to the air terminal.
- October 2026: Have a motobomb.
- November 2026: Complete equipment of the Fire Barracks.
- November 2026: Implementation of visual aid within infrastructure.
- November 2026: Have full personnel.
- December 7, 2026: Have a control tower.
More flights to Quetzaltenango
For Garcia, one of the key points to achieve economic growth is to have infrastructure that facilitates connectivity. This can be achieved, according to Garcia, through the construction of roads, airports and ports.
According to Garcia, the connectivity in Quetzaltenango is currently limited, because the airfield only operates a daily flight to the capital, which restricts the mobility of those who need to quickly reach the city of Guatemala.
He also mentioned that, in addition to commercial, tourist and corporate flights that could increase thanks to the airport, the load mobilization system could also be improved. Garcia stressed that, Due to the lack of direct flights, costs of transport are increased. He also stressed that the Los Altos airport should have direct connections with two strategic sectors: El Salvador and Puebla, Mexico. This is because, according to Garcia, from these points it is easier to access flights to other destinations.
For his part, Rodas stressed that aircraft interested in operating in this airport would be smaller, since “The track is too short for larger airplanes“In addition, he reiterated that foreign airlines outside the Central American and Mexican region could only be interested if the market is sufficiently attractive to them.
In search of a security certificate
After the inauguration of the New Airport, González said that the process will begin to obtain the Safety and Service Quality certification. “You cannot be born with a certified airport, because there is no operation. So, we are going to make international flights, we will operate and, on the way, we will return certificate,” González said.
This certificate is granted by the Government of Guatemala, González explained, and said that said document will prove that the airport fully complies with the minimum operational security standards required by international organizations.
Rhodes emphasized that this certificate is essential for international airlines: “Even if they are interested, they are very careful and would prefer to land in an airport that has a certificate.” In addition, he added that airlines prioritize security.
According to a member of the Aerodromes Area of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), by December 2027, the necessary steps to obtain the airport certification could be completed.
Having this recognition, González said that there will be greater possibilities that more airlines are interested in offering their services, which would increase passenger flow.
Mundo Maya Airport
The Mundo Maya International Airport also does not have a certification of safety and quality, according to González. However, the official indicated that the process to obtain it is advanced.
González said that the airport delivered to the Operational Security Surveillance Unit of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) the manuals and operation procedures, of which one was already approved, while the others are still waiting for approval.
“After all manuals check and give them the approval, the audit phase begins, where operational security agents verify that the airport has all the methods indicated in their manuals,” González explained, who added that, after this process, the airport can already be certified.