Tijuana’s binational airport soon ready for construction

Most elements of the proposed Tijuana Aeropuerto Binacional have been settled and, theoretically, construction could begin in a few weeks.

The airport will feature a trans-border facility that will obviate the need for American travelers to cross at the San Ysidro or Otay border stations.

Still, a sticking point remains between Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (Tijuana's airport authority) and Tijuana’s city hall over property taxes and the approval of a construction permit.

Hot to trot, the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico claims that because the Mexican federal government has jurisdiction over the land involved, construction needs no further delay; in short, the group says the project does not need a municipal construction permit.

Tijuana mayor Carlos Bustamante and his administration beg to differ and are claiming that the city needs to approve various aspects of the project and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico must pay various construction-permit fees and taxes involving concessions, shopping spaces, and the like.

Others agree with the mayor (including the federal secretary of transportation), saying that even though the land involved is, technically, under federal authority, the city still has the authority to grant or deny a building permit. The matter is being decided in the courts at present.

Source: Frontera