Mexico’s Guadalajara International Airport to benefit from $504 million investment

Credit: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport

With ambitions to create the ‘best airport in Mexico’ at its home base in Guadalajara, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) has announced its plans to invest 10 billion Pesos ($504 million) before 2026 into the development of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). 

The plan includes an additional runway and new terminal building, as well as, in the short- to mid-term, a radical new six billion Pesos ($302 million) redesign of the commercial space in the existing building. The Design Solution has been appointed to deliver the redesign, with the new space due to open on a phased basis over the course of the next two years before being fully open in 2023.

The current terminal has benefited from numerous expansion projects since its opening in 1966 and is currently a collection of airside zones, complex circulation patterns and architectural styles. The objective of the terminal redesign is to rationalise passenger flows, creating a series of engaging touchpoints along the passenger journey, from security to gate, with a visionary design that unifies the entire experience.

The new plan optimises previously under-utilised space, creating a new vibrancy to the passenger experience with a significantly enlarged commercial zone.  The two security areas are retained and passengers are now drawn towards the airside heart of the terminal; a newly revitalised area overlooking the apron, surrounded by a dynamic mix of retail, bars, restaurants, pop-up sites and other customer service facilities.  

Raul Revuelta, Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, said: “We first worked with The Design Solution at Sangster Montego Bay Airport in Jamaica, one of our other operated airports. Shortly after, we appointed them to work at Los Cabos Airport in Mexico and, now, on to Guadalajara. We have worked together as a team over many months to create something that we believe will transform the terminal, both in terms of bringing passengers the best travel experience, as well as growing our commercial offer. In the core airside commercial area, we currently have 5,700m², and that will increase to 7,250m².  The pandemic inevitably means that the implementation of our ambitious plans will likely take longer than originally hoped, but we look forward to a phased approach to achieving this vision.”

A key area of the redesign is centred on a flat roof canopy, located outside of the centre of the terminal building, over an expanded baggage area. The proposal is to transform this into a signature feature of the terminal, with an external garden terrace, surrounding an Agave-inspired architectural shade pod, offering casual seating, planting and a unique eating and drinking destination.  

Credit: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport

The ambience of this garden has also inspired the character of the indoor food & beverage zone and is further reflected in the outside feel that is brought inside to the gate seating areas. Heavily planted areas include trees to compliment the minimalistic concrete benches with low level under-lighting, combining to create a light, contemporary and natural landscape look and feel. The exterior aesthetic is further enhanced with the application of resin-bound aggregate floor finishes and warm natural materials.

A large rotunda space is introduced directly after the wall-through duty free store, enabling passengers to pause, orientate themselves, check flight information and then plan how to best spend their time before heading to the gate. A large aura formation of pendant lights – made from Peltra, a Mexican porcelain enamel – is suspended within the space, creating a striking statement with a strongly local sense of place.