Bigger Airport Coming??

[Softy57]

When we were in pdc a week ago,we heard a rumor from 2 sources that pdc is going to have a large international airport soon. Anyone there know if this is true? I would hate to see the laid back vibe changed by jumbo jets overhead. I'm sure many dislike the 45min. ride from cancun arpt. but better than pollution & noise in paradise!One of the main drawbacks of St. Maarten and Montego Bay Jamaica are the jets over the beach every 5 min! I hope this rumor is bull----!
:evil:

[Michael]

I have been waiting over a year for this discussion to start. Yes there is another International Airport on its way. This airport was planned many years ago and I understand they are starting to clear the land (the project was finally started in 2003).

I do not yet know the precise location. It must be fairly obvious, as these things are kind of big; but I have yet to find it. I was also told that the small airport in Playa will be closed, but that may not be a fact only and assumption.

If that assumption is a fact and the location is favorable to Playa (there is every reason to expect it will be), the net effect will be less noise and not more.

[JAH]

Over the years, this rumor has always been accompanied by the one that there will also be a new super highway direct from PDC to Merida. I'll believe them both when I see them.

[Critter]

Everything I have heard or read is that the new airport serving the Riviera Maya will be south of town close to the Cruise ship Piers. So you can hop either on or off of your cruise ship right in Mexico.

[Becky]

I've heard this as well, and very recently, from a very reliable source that lives in the area and is well connected. He says it's coming within the next couple of years. I'm trying to remember exactly where he said it would be... somewhere between Playa and Paamul. Not right in Playa, though, but very close. I can't remember exactly where, though. He says yes, it's been talked about for years, but it is very close to starting now. And it is definitely a "done deal". He also says they've been trying to close the Playa airport for years because it's so dangerous. I would imagine they'll be successful once the international airport is completed.

Becky

[james]

I heard they're going to start building the airport tomorrow! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Michael]

There is a Brazilian guy that was hired to take care of clearing the land. I think he was the project manager for that phase. During one series of delays he worked as a Chef in one of the restaurants in town. At some point during 2002 he quit his job at the restaurant to finally get started with the project had come to Playa for.

However, as James indicates we may never see the airport completed in our life times. But I am betting it will be finished before JAH gets to drive down the new PdC-Merida highway.

[sctx]

I heard they're combining it with the Wal-mart parking lot and the Super McDonalds.... you know, right next to the Hooters Girls car wash and construction should coincide with the completion of the Bullet train line from PDC to Austin :lol:

[JAH]

I'm betting I'll never use either one. My favorite post in this thread is that of sctx. May I take that and post it everywhere? Everyone seems to be ready to believe everything! :roll:

[Softy57]

James,I think you're funning me!Hope if the rumor is true it will be in a good location,as michaelholmes said. I went from pdc to tulum 3 times & didn't notice any evidence of large construction,but then again,wasn't looking! Did see a large area of construction on the west side of the highway,no.of pdc near where we turned off to pick up peaple at coco reef,I believe. Anyone know what is going to be built there?We can't wait to be back next year,going to find the Playa Maya & have guacamole & say "hi" to Steve.Just want whats best for pdc,whatever that may be. I would love to be able to fly directly there,but not at the cost of ruining a lovely place.

[roni]

Becky wrote:

somwhere between Playa and Paamul.

and softy wrote:

Hope if the rumor is true it will be in a good location

Well, I do not agree that it would be a good location if it introduced jet noise to Paamul or to Playa. Inevitable, perhaps. Convenient, certainly. A good thing.....having spent time in Playa and Paamul, I'd rather ride the bus down from Cancun.

Ron

[cuffedlinks]

Ron,

I'm with you! I'd much rather take the bus or a taxi....

Really sad to think that the Riviera might be getting an airport on the same level as Cancun's....<heavy sigh!> :cry:

[Softy57]

I totally agree with cuffedlincs & roni-wish it wasn't happening. Would rather be on the van or bus with a cold cervesa.

[Anna]

Guys, chill. You make it sound like Playa will be ruined next week. It's still a wonderful paradise 'in spite' of the growth - which in my opinion only have made Playa more relaxing, cool, hip and cosmopolitan. You can still walk 20-30 minutes along the beach and be all by yourself, but you can also get a high quality yet affordable meal in a small neighborhood restaurant. With more people come more choice. The Playa most of you see is still a very neat Caribbean beach town. You don't need to go all the way to the highway to visit Walmart if you don't want to, but for us locals it makes it easier to get good quality produce and by that perhaps also serve you visitors better in the future. I predict it will be several years before we have an international airport in Playa, if ever - and it wouldn't be IN Playa, but way outside. There's already one in Cozumel, which is kind of close if you think about it, and I can't say I notice any big jets. Tourism is a double edged sword and we tend to be selfish about 'our' paradise, but you can't fly to a place and then complain about other people wanting to do the same. I think we should all put things into perspective, enjoy the great place that is Playa and don't paint the devil on the wall.

[jeffandbecky]

If anyone is really interested, the way to find out how soon is to follow the money (just like Watergate). First, you have to find which agency's budget the airport is being financed under. Second, you need to look at the total project cost, the length of construction time, and the amount funded. The Mexican system only funds projects for one year. They do not fund a multiyear project in a single budget cycle as a general rule. If they do total project funding then things can happen very quickly, if not then years can become decades. Probably the best source of information would be the operators at the current airport. To find the truth, follow the money. In any case, Anna is right a new airport will be located way out of town and oriented to the prevailing winds. It should not have a major impact on the PDC we enjoy.