{{short description|International airport in Mexico}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}{{Redirect|CLQ|the Australian organisation|Cherish Life Queensland}} {{Infobox airport | name = Colima International Airport | nativename = {{lang|es|{{small|Aeropuerto Internacional de Colima}}}} | image = Clq.jpg | IATA = CLQ | ICAO = MMIA | type = Public | operator = Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina (SEMAR) | city-served = Colima, Colima, Mexico | location = Cuauhtémoc, Colima, Mexico | opened = {{start date|1988|02|12|df=y}} | metric-elev = y | elevation-m = 752 | coordinates = {{Coord|19|16|37|N|103|34|38|W|region:MX-COL_type:airport|display=inline,title}} | website = [https://www.aeropuertosasa.mx/aeropuerto_de_colima.php www.aeropuertosasa.mx/CLQ] | pushpin_map = Mexico Colima#Mexico | pushpin_label = CLQ | metric-rwy = y | r1-number = 07/25 | r1-length-m = 2300 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2025 | stat1-header = Total passengers | stat1-data = 250,146 | stat2-header = Ranking in Mexico | stat2-data = 44th {{increase}}<small>1</small> | footnotes = Source: Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil | timezone = CST | utc = UTC−06:00 | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Colima<ref name="afacstats">{{cite web|url=https://www.gob.mx/afac/acciones-y-programas/estadisticas-280404/|title=Estadística Operacional de Aeropuertos / Statistics by Airport|publisher=Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref> }}
'''Colima Airport''' ({{langx|es|Aeropuerto Internacional de Colima}}), officially ''Aeropuerto Internacional Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid'' ('''Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid International Airport''') ({{airport codes|CLQ|MMIA|p=n}}), is an international airport in Colima, Mexico. It handles scheduled passenger flights and general aviation operations. The airport is named after former President of Mexico Miguel de la Madrid and was designated as an international airport in September 2025. It is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina under the Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR).
== History == === Construction and opening (1983-1988) === Construction of the airport began in 1983. The airport's first flight occurred on September 17, 1987, when an Aeroméxico DC-9 transported special guests for Governor Elías Zamora Verduzco's state address.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mañana llega el Primer Vuelo al Aeropuerto de Buenavista |trans-title=Tomorrow the first flight arrives at Buenavista Airport |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=16 September 1987 |language=es}}</ref> On October 8, 1987, the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) transferred the airport to Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) for operational management.<ref>{{cite news |title=SCT Entrego Oficialmente el Aeropuerto a ASA |trans-title=SCT officially handed over the airport to ASA |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=8 October 1987 |language=es}}</ref>
Commercial airline service commenced on February 12, 1988, when Aero California began daily flights connecting Colima with Tijuana, La Paz, Los Mochis, and Guadalajara.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ayer llegó el Primer Vuelo Comercial al aeropuerto Buenavista |trans-title=Yesterday the first commercial flight arrived at Buenavista airport |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=13 February 1988 |language=es}}</ref> President Miguel de la Madrid officially inaugurated the airport on March 11, 1988.<ref>{{cite news |author=Cárdenas Rangel, Efrén |title=MMH Inauguró Ayer el Aeropuerto Colima |trans-title=MMH inaugurated Colima Airport yesterday |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=12 March 1988 |language=es}}</ref>
=== Early operations and route development (1988-2008) === By 1989, Aero California had expanded service to include nonstop flights to Mexico City and Tijuana.<ref>{{cite book |title=Aero California Itinerario |date=15 June 1989 |publisher=Aero California |url=https://www.airtimes.com/cgat/mx/aerocalifornia/pdf/xk890615.pdf |access-date=21 December 2025 |language=es}}</ref> On November 24, 1992, regional carrier Aeromar began daily service to Mexico City.<ref>{{cite news |title=2 Líneas Aéreas Inician Vuelos Hacia Colima |trans-title=2 airlines begin flights to Colima |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=25 November 1992 |language=es}}</ref> By July 1999, Aeroméxico also operated four weekly flights to Mexico City and Tijuana, with Aeromar providing additional daily service as an Aeroméxico Connect partner.<ref>{{cite book |title=Aeroméxico Timetable |date=12 July 1999 |publisher=Aeroméxico}}</ref>
On April 3, 2006, all Aero California operations were suspended by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes for administrative and operational deficiencies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ayer por la mañana, un grupo de usuarios de la aerolínea Aerocalifornia se manifestaron |trans-title=Yesterday morning, a group of Aerocalifornia users protested |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=4 April 2006 |language=es}}</ref> The airline resumed service on August 11, 2006,<ref>{{cite news |author=Fuentes González, Arturo |title=La aerolínea Aerocalifornia confirmó que reiniciará operaciones |trans-title=Aerocalifornia airline confirmed it will resume operations |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=10 August 2006 |language=es}}</ref> with Colima among the first destinations restored.
On July 23, 2008, Aero California was suspended again due to unpaid debts totaling 259.5 million pesos and never resumed operations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suspende la SCT los vuelos de Aerocalifornia |trans-title=SCT suspends Aerocalifornia flights |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=24 July 2008 |language=es}}</ref> The airport handled 102,896 passengers in 2008, which dropped to 43,610 passengers in 2009, a 57% decline.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gob.mx/afac/acciones-y-programas/estadisticas-280404 |title=Estadística Operacional de Aeropuertos / Statistics by Airport |publisher=Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil |access-date=21 December 2025 |language=es}}</ref>
=== Recovery and expansion (2009-2023) === Following Aero California's closure, Aeromar became the primary carrier with service to Mexico City. Volaris entered the market on May 31, 2012, with service to Tijuana.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.afmedios.com/abrira-volaris-ruta-colima-tijuana/ |title=Abrirá Volaris ruta Colima-Tijuana |trans-title=Volaris will open Colima-Tijuana route |work=AFmedios |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=21 December 2025 |language=es}}</ref> Passenger traffic gradually recovered, reaching 138,962 by 2016.
Aeroméxico launched daily service on September 18, 2017, but discontinued it on June 30, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Volará Aeroméxico de Colima a Ciudad de México |trans-title=Aeroméxico will fly from Colima to Mexico City |newspaper=Diario de Colima |date=2 June 2017 |language=es}}</ref> Volaris added Mexico City service on November 15, 2018, operating three weekly flights. Passenger numbers reached 194,471 in 2019, the highest level prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic reduced passenger traffic to 105,671 in 2020. On February 15, 2023, Aeromar ceased operations after 35 years of service.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/124561-mexicos-aeromar-airlines-ceases-operations |title=Mexico's Aeromar Airlines ceases operations |work=ch-aviation |date=15 February 2023 |access-date=21 December 2025}}</ref> Aeroméxico resumed service on March 16, 2023,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.afmedios.com/llego-a-colima-primer-vuelo-de-aeromexico-desde-cdmx/ |title=Llegó a Colima primer vuelo de Aeroméxico desde CDMX |trans-title=First Aeroméxico flight from CDMX arrived in Colima |work=AFmedios |date=16 March 2023 |access-date=21 December 2025 |language=es}}</ref> and transferred its service to Felipe Ángeles International Airport on October 5, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rainsford, Cat |url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/aeromexico-to-expand-flights-out-of-cdmx-felipe-angeles-airport/ |title=Aeroméxico to expand flights out of CDMX Felipe Ángeles airport |work=Mexico News Daily |date=18 September 2023 |access-date=21 December 2025}}</ref> The airport handled 201,243 passengers in 2023 and reached a record 212,435 passengers in 2024.
=== International designation (2025) === On September 18, 2025, the airport was officially designated as international, with management transferred from ASA to Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina under the Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/colima-airports-major-expansion/ |title=Colima airport gets US $17.5M makeover to prepare it for international status |work=Mexico News Daily |date=13 August 2025 |access-date=21 December 2025}}</ref> A modernization project valued at 327 million pesos (US$17.5 million) commenced to expand capacity and improve facilities in preparation for international operations.
== Facilities == thumb|upright=0.75|The control tower at CLQ thumb|upright=0.75|Passenger terminal landside The airport is located at an elevation of {{convert|752|m|}} and covers an area of {{convert|386|ha|}}. It has a single {{convert|2300|m|}} asphalt runway designated 07/25. The apron measures {{convert|16200|m2|}} and includes three parking positions for narrow-body aircraft, as well as spaces for smaller aircraft and helicopters.
The passenger terminal is a single-story facility handling both arrivals and departures. The terminal includes parking facilities, a check-in area with ticketing counters, security screening, a baggage claim area, and an arrivals hall with car rental services and taxi stands. The departure concourse has two gates with direct apron access, allowing passengers to board aircraft via walking.
In addition to commercial operations, the airport includes a cargo handling facility, a dedicated general aviation terminal for private and charter flights, and administrative offices. thumb|upright=0.75|Departures concourse thumb|upright=0.75|Passenger terminal main hall
==Airlines and destinations== === Passenger === {{Airport destination list | {{nowrap|Aeroméxico Connect}} | Mexico City–Felipe Ángeles<ref name="amclq">{{cite web|url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/aeromexico-to-expand-flights-out-of-cdmx-felipe-angeles-airport/|title=Aeroméxico to expand flights out of Felipe Ángeles Airport|date=Sep 2023|website=Mexico News Daily|accessdate=Feb 17, 2026}}</ref> | Volaris | Tijuana<ref name="volclq">{{cite web|url=https://www.meganoticias.mx/tuxpan/noticia/volaris-mantiene-activo-el-destino-tijuana-colima/142695|title=Volaris Flights between Tijuana and Colima Remain Operational|date=Apr 2020|website=Meganoticias|accessdate=Feb 17, 2026|language=es}}</ref> }}
{| class="collapsible uncollapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width: 38em; margin:0.2em auto" |- ! Destinations map |- |{{Location map+|Mexico|width=590|float=center|caption=Domestic destinations from Colima International Airport <br /> {{font color | red | Red}} = Year-round destination <br /> {{font color | blue | Blue}} = Future destination <br /> {{font color | green | Green}} = Seasonal destination|places={{Location map~ |Mexico|lat=19.2806 |long=-103.5774|position=right|label=<div style="position:relative; top:0px;"><small>'''Colima'''</small></div>|caption=|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg|marksize=15 }} {{Location map~ |mark=Red pog.svg |Mexico|lat=19.756667 |long=-99.015278|position=top|label='''<small>{{nowrap|Mexico City-Felipe Ángeles}}</small>'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }} {{Location map~ |mark=Red pog.svg |Mexico|lat=32.5423 |long=-116.9717|position=bottom|label='''<small>{{nowrap|Tijuana}}</small>'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}}} |}
== Statistics == === Annual Traffic === {| class="wikitable" |+ Passenger statistics at CLQ<ref name=afacstats /> ! Year!! Total Passengers!! change %!! Cargo movements (t)!! Air operations |- ! 2006 ||101,634 ||{{steady}}||75 ||5,207 |- ! 2007 ||142,272 ||{{increase}}39.98%|| 230 ||7,432 |- ! 2008 ||102,896 ||{{decrease}}27.68%||92 ||7,311 |- ! 2009 ||43,610 ||{{decrease}}57.62%||93 ||5,233 |- ! 2010 ||42,979 ||{{decrease}}1.45%||242 ||4,418 |- ! 2011 ||61,929 ||{{increase}}44.09%||89 ||5,365 |- ! 2012 ||106,313 ||{{increase}}71.67%||100 ||6,810 |- ! 2013 ||108,265 ||{{increase}}1.84%||80 ||6,169 |- ! 2014 ||114,457 ||{{increase}}5.72%||105 ||6,338 |- ! 2015 ||113,583 ||{{decrease}}0.76%||118 ||6,115 |- ! 2016 ||138,962 ||{{increase}}22.34%||117 ||5,999 |- ! 2017 || 138,441 ||{{decrease}}0.37%|| 107 || 6,132 |- ! 2018 || 155,966 ||{{increase}}12.66%|| 96 || 5,999 |- ! 2019 || 194,471 ||{{increase}}24.69%|| 128 || 6,311 |- ! 2020 || 105,671 ||{{decrease}}45.66%|| 36 || 3,594 |- ! 2021 || 143,774 ||{{increase}}36.05%|| 47 || 3,549 |- ! 2022 || 169,516 ||{{increase}}17.90%|| 48 || 3,726 |- ! 2023 || 201,243 ||{{increase}}18.72%|| 0.45 || 3,422 |- ! 2024 || 212,435 ||{{increase}}5.56%|| 3 || 3,937 |- ! 2025 || 250,146 ||{{increase}}17.75% || 3 || 4,070 |}
===Busiest routes=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" width= align= |+ Busiest routes from CLQ (Jan–Dec 2025)<ref name="SASE">{{cite web |url=https://www.gob.mx/afac/acciones-y-programas/estadisticas-280404|title=Estadística operacional por origen-destino / Traffic Statistics by City Pairs|language=es |publisher=Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil | date=January 2026 |accessdate=February 17, 2026}}</ref> |- ! Rank ! Airport ! Passengers |- | 1 | Tijuana, Baja California | align="right"| 93,018 |- | 2 | Mexico City–AIFA, State of Mexico | align="right"| 25,300 |}
== See also ==
* List of the busiest airports in Mexico * List of airports in Mexico * List of airports by ICAO code: M * List of busiest airports in North America * List of the busiest airports in Latin America * Transportation in Mexico * Tourism in Mexico * Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}} * [https://www.aeropuertosasa.mx/aeropuerto_de_colima.php Official Website] * [https://www.gob.mx/asa Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares] * [http://www.gcmap.com/airport/CLQ Colima Airport information] at Great Circle Mapper * {{SkyVector|MMIA}} * {{NWS-current|MMIA}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150511123337/http://aviation-safety.net/database/airport/airport.php?id=CLQ Accident history for CLQ] at Aviation Safety Network {{Airports in Mexico}} Category:Airports in Mexico Category:Airports in Colima {{Portal bar|Mexico|Aviation}}{{authority control}} Category:Transportation in Colima Category:Tourist attractions in Colima Category:Colima (city)