Morelia International Airport (Spanish: Aeropuerto Internacional de Morelia); officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco J. Mujica(General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport) (IATA: MLM, ICAO: MMMM) is an international airport located in Álvaro Obregón, Michoacán, Mexico. It serves the Metropolitan Area of Morelia, Michoacán, and is the largest airport in the state of Michoacán. In addition to providing domestic flights within Mexico, it serves as a gateway for international travel, connecting Central Mexico to multiple destinations in the United States.
The airport began its operations in 1984, initially offering only one daily flight using a DC-9 aircraft to Mexico City. Over the years, it has been served by various airlines, including Aero California, Aero Sudpacífico, Aeromar, Aviacsa, Avolar, Líneas Aéreas Azteca, Continental (now United), Mexicana, TAESA, and TAR. In 2019, the airport underwent expansion efforts to enhance its capabilities. During the same year, Volaris established a crew base at the airport to support its growing number of flight routes connecting Morelia to destinations within Mexico and the United States.[3]
Facilities
The airport is located at an elevation of 1,839 metres (6,033 ft) above mean sea level. It has a single runway, designated as 05/23, which measures 3,408 metres (11,181 ft) in length and is surfaced with asphalt.
The commercial aviation apron covers an area of 40,284 square metres (433,610 sq ft) and includes nine stands for receiving narrow-body aircraft. The general aviation apron has a total area of 12,060 square metres (129,800 sq ft) and offers twelve stands for fixed-wing aircraft along with two heliports for private aviation and occasional use by third-level commercial aviation.[4]
The passenger terminal is a single-story building that accommodates both arrivals and departures for domestic and international flights. It features a departure concourse with four gates without jetbridges, a VIP lounge, check-in areas, security zones, baggage claim areas, an arrivals hall, car rental services, taxi stands, and various retail stores. Adjacent to the terminal, other facilities include a hotel,[5] parking areas, civil aviation hangars, and designated spaces for general aviation.
^The official statistics combine both O'Hare and Midway airports.
Accidents and incidents
9 September 1978 - A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter of Lineas Aéreas del Centro flying scheduled service to the old Morelia Airport from Mexico City, crashed shortly after takeoff from Mexico City International Airport. There were 18 fatalities among the 21 passengers.[8] The aircraft was also damaged beyond repair.[9]
20 October 2002 - Aerolíneas Internacionales Flight 888, a Boeing 727-100 scheduled to fly from Morelia to León/Guanajuato, allegedly encountered 9 small, spherical UFOs prior to its 10AM takeoff roll. As reported by the crew and a witness on the ground, the sighting lasted around 10 minutes, with said objects maneuvering simultaneously. After the objects moved away, the flight was able to continue without further incident.[10][11]
19 September 2010 - Aeroméxico Flight 6531, bound to Morelia from Las Vegas, suffered a fuel leak. The Boeing 737-700 returned to Las Vegas for an emergency landing. There were no fatalities among the 102 passengers.[12]
