Tulum, a well-known tourist destination, has traditionally relied on Cancún International Airport as its primary gateway. Efforts have been ongoing to reduce Cancun's dominance and establish alternative entry points to this tourist zone, with Cozumel Int'l. Airport emerging as a successful secondary option. In the 2000s, Chichen Itza International Airport was constructed to facilitate access to the central Yucatan region, but financial viability concerns led to its closure shortly after its establishment. The concept of a Tulum civil airport has been on the horizon for years. It reached a stage of development where, by 2011, bidding for construction contracts was set to conclude. However, the project encountered challenges, leading to a standstill. Following Andrés Manuel López Obrador's inauguration as Mexican president in 2018, political backing for the Tulum Airport further diminished due to an increased emphasis on the Tren Maya project. However, the project regained momentum in 2022 when it was announced by the López Obrador administration as part of efforts to boost tourism, particularly in conjunction with the Tren Maya. Tulum Airport, constructed and operated by the Mexican army, is part of the broader strategy of the López Obrador administration to engage the armed forces in significant infrastructure projects. This trend of militarization extends to other projects, including the takeover of multiple airports, the Tren Maya, and the revival of Mexicana de Aviación. However, the military's involvement in civilian functions, such as airport management and hotel operations, raises concerns about accountability and transparency. Construction commenced in 2022, initially scheduled to open in April 2024. Following the announcement, major Mexican and U.S. carriers revealed services from their hubs. In August 2023, Aeroméxico announced services to Mexico City, and Viva announced flights to various Mexican cities. In October 2023, Delta Air Lines disclosed nonstop flights from Atlanta from March 2024. Subsequently, Spirit Airlines revealed plans to add flights from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. In November 2023, American Airlines announced flights to Charlotte, Miami, and Dallas/Fort Worth, followed by United Airlines unveiling services to Houston, Chicago, Newark, Los Angeles and Denver. The airport began operations on December 1, 2023.