Investment in Guadalajara International Airport Benefits Lake Chapala Real Estate Area

North Americans with Mexico homes in Chapala, Ajijic and the rest of the Lake Chapala Real Estate area enjoy the convenience of being only a 40 minute drive away from the Guadalajara International Airport.  The airport is the busiest of the 12 operated by the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), followed by Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.  For residents of Chapala, and for North Americans considering buying Lake Chapala Real Estate, this statistic means a lot of options for direct flights back home at reasonable prices.  GAP’s continued expansion, investment and improvement of the airport guarantees continued excellence of services.

The group has recently announced a new investment plan for 2010-2015.  While the details have not yet been released,  the GAP’s investment in all of its airports between 2004 and 2009 was about 300 million dollars.

One official said that GAP is expecting conservative growth in 2010.  Passenger numbers had dropped in 2008 and 2009, due to the international recession and high fuel prices.  The final numbers for 2009 will probably be around 7.2 million passengers, equivalent to what occurred in 2005.  The growth in 2010 is not expected to be as strong as in 2006, 2007, but it is nevertheless a positive outlook for the Lake Chapala Real Estate area, meaning renewed increase in service, and it is a reflection of the continued interest North Americans, which is already a significant, established community in the area, have in both visiting and living in the area.

The rebound of passengers will begin this November, with the arrival of a healthier number of North American visitors to several airports operated by GAP.

A more immediate investment planned for Guadalajara International Airport is an on-premise bus station.   An investment of 2.5 million dollars is planned, and the station would occupy an area of 1,000 square meters in which there will be six platforms.

For North Americans residents of Chapala or Ajijic, the new bus station will mean two things.  One is that continued improvement of the space use and organization of the airport and smooth traffic flow. Also, for anyone who happens to be taking the bus, the new terminal will eliminate unnecessary stops – it will include express services to key destinations – and provide direct service from more bus lines.

Also worth noting is that a new air line will be providing service to the airport in the near future.  The airline is FBO, which focuses on private flights, and has recorded 500 operations per month.

Jaime Niembro has served on the Lake Chapala real estate board as vice president and treasurer. He also is an active member of the AMPI association having served as president including the Chamber of Commerce. Jaime is the owner broker of Ajijic Real Estate. For more information (512)-879-6546 THE www.TOPmexicorealestate.com NETWORK

” Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely!”