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There’s nothing worse than getting off a airplane after an extended 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 have been out of the airport.
But all that has now modified.
According to a report from Riviera Maya News, Cancun airport has efficiently diminished common entry wait occasions from virtually 3 hours to simply 7 minutes.
Reduced Wait Times For Arrivals
The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico has launched new applied sciences which have dramatically diminished wait occasions for worldwide arrivals from the United States and Canada.
These applied sciences have 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 adjustments which have diminished wait occasions so dramatically?
The predominant 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 may also be utilized by Mexican arrivals with chip passports.
And when you 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 be certain that when you do have to attend for an agent, you’ll get a terrific stage of customer support whenever you finally get to the desk!
It’s additionally work noting that as a part of the dedication to new applied sciences, all the terminals in Cancun Airport now provide free wi-fi web entry for all passengers.
So at the very least you may scroll, stream, or examine social media when you do get caught in a queue!
Personal Experiences
I solely arrived at Cancun airport as soon as (firstly of the 12 months), and it was removed from a clean expertise.
3 hours in an extended queue with minimal air con, surrounded by inebriated Brits (As a Brit myself, I’m allowed to say it!) The queues have been disorganized, and every little thing felt frankly chaotic.
The truth there was nowhere we might seize a bottle of water made every little thing really feel even worse.
Compared to experiences shared by vacationers who’ve been to Cancun airport extra lately, it appears like a complete new place! Smooth transitions, simple processes, and extra importantly, very small queue occasions.
I might positively 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 this planet.
If we take a look at simply worldwide arrivals alone then it’s the 10th busiest airport on this planet.
If you need to keep away from the inevitable crowds that include an airport this well-liked then select your arrival occasions properly.
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 might have your passport and any supporting paperwork (corresponding to your accomplished customs kind) open and prepared.
This may sound apparent, however I’ve misplaced depend of the variety of occasions I’ve been caught behind somebody who acquired 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 improper, however frankly, dropping your mood gained’t get you thru customs and passport management any sooner.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.