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There’s nothing worse than getting off a aircraft after a protracted flight to see a unending queue to clear customs and passport management.
And Cancun International Airport was as soon as infamous for its prolonged arrivals course of, with passengers typically ready something between 3-4 hours from their flight touchdown earlier than they had been out of the airport.
But all that has now modified.
According to a report from Riviera Maya News, Cancun airport has efficiently decreased common entry wait instances from virtually 3 hours to only 7 minutes.
Reduced Wait Times For Arrivals
The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico has launched new applied sciences which have dramatically decreased wait instances for worldwide arrivals from the United States and Canada.
These applied sciences had been initially introduced in Cancun airport and following their success the Tourism Secretary Miguel Torruco Marques has now proposed introducing these instruments in all main airports in Mexico.
So what, precisely, are the modifications which have decreased wait instances so dramatically?
The fundamental new expertise that has been launched in Cancun is automated immigration filters.
These machines have been put in in Terminal 3, which is the terminal largely used for arrivals from the United States and Canada.
These machines will also be utilized by Mexican arrivals with chip passports.
And for those who can’t use the brand new automated kiosks (maybe as a result of you do not have an American or Canadian passport) then don’t fear: there are different upgrades too! 60 of the immigration brokers based mostly on the airport have been given public relations coaching from the Cancun Hotel Association.
Why? To make sure that for those who do have to attend for an agent, you’ll get a fantastic stage of customer support once you finally get to the desk!
It’s additionally work noting that as a part of the dedication to new applied sciences, the entire terminals in Cancun Airport now supply free wi-fi web entry for all passengers.
So at the very least you may scroll, stream, or verify social media for those who do get caught in a queue!
Personal Experiences
I solely arrived at Cancun airport as soon as (at the start of the 12 months), and it was removed from a easy expertise.
3 hours in a protracted queue with minimal air con, surrounded by inebriated Brits (As a Brit myself, I’m allowed to say it!) The queues had been disorganized, and all the pieces felt frankly chaotic.
The reality there was nowhere we might seize a bottle of water made all the pieces really feel even worse.
Compared to experiences shared by vacationers who’ve been to Cancun airport extra just lately, it looks like an entire new place! Smooth transitions, simple processes, and extra importantly, very small queue instances.
I might undoubtedly have an interest to listen to how and when these new applied sciences will likely be rolled out to different Mexican airports.
Passing Through Cancun Airport Smoothly
Cancun Airport is Mexico’s 2nd busiest airport (After Mexico City International Airport) and it’s also ranked because the 43rd busiest airport on the earth.
If we take a look at simply worldwide arrivals alone then it’s the 10th busiest airport on the earth.
If you wish to keep away from the inevitable crowds that include an airport this fashionable then select your arrival instances correctly.
The busiest days to reach in Cancun International Airport are weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) and the airport is at its busiest between 11am and 2pm. To keep away from these crowds think about arriving on a weekday and both early within the morning or within the night.
You may make your arrival into Cancun airport go extra easily by ensuring you’ve got your passport and any supporting paperwork (reminiscent of your accomplished customs type) open and prepared.
This may sound apparent, however I’ve misplaced depend of the variety of instances I’ve been caught behind somebody who received to the entrance of the queue with their passport nonetheless of their backpack!
Finally, keep calm and affected person: that is the time to interrupt out that yogic respiration!
Things can and do go unsuitable, however frankly, shedding your mood received’t get you thru customs and passport management any sooner.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.