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. On October 8, 1987, the
Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) transferred the airport to
Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA) for operational management. Commercial airline service commenced on February 12, 1988, when
Aero California began daily flights connecting Colima with
Tijuana,
La Paz,
Los Mochis, and
Guadalajara. President
Miguel de la Madrid officially inaugurated the airport on March 11, 1988.
Early operations and route development (1988-2008) By 1989, Aero California had expanded service to include nonstop flights to
Mexico City and Tijuana. On November 24, 1992, regional carrier
Aeromar began daily service to Mexico City. 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. On April 3, 2006, all Aero California operations were suspended by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes for administrative and operational deficiencies. The airline resumed service on August 11, 2006, 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. The airport handled 102,896 passengers in 2008, which dropped to 43,610 passengers in 2009, a 57% decline.
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. Passenger traffic gradually recovered, reaching 138,962 by 2016. Aeroméxico launched daily service on September 18, 2017, but discontinued it on June 30, 2018. 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. Aeroméxico resumed service on March 16, 2023, and transferred its service to
Felipe Ángeles International Airport on October 5, 2023. 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). 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 ==