Member's Home Forums General Discussion Mexico Mexico Airports MMGL - Guadalajara MMGL PIREP

Just finished my second round trip from MMPR to MMGL. MMGL is a very large and busy airport, unsurprising since GDL is the second largest city in Mexico. Nevertheless, I found the airport to be relatively GA-friendly, much more so than Class B airports of comparable size in the US (and certainly far cheaper). Parking for 2 nights and landing fee came to a little over 300 pesos I believe.

Much of the DGAC and airport operations facilities are under construction. Moreover, although the GA ramp is very large, it is also extremely full. Because the GA ramp is so large and busy, both times I parked at MMGL I had to park about 10-15 minute walk away from the exit/entrance, which is itself about 10-15 minute walk from the DGAC office and airport operations.

I found access to the field to be much more tightly controlled than at MMPR, where the security staff really performed nothing more than a cursory check. By contrast, the security staff at MMGL will insist on seeing your pilot's license before letting you access the ramp and DGAC/operations areas. If you have passengers, they will have to wait to pass security until your flight plan is approved, indicating the number and names of the passengers. You will then have to walk back to security (10 mins), and then escort them personally to your plane (potentially another 10-15 minutes depending on where you're parked on the ramp).

Despite the inconvenient layout, I found the DGAC staff and SENEAM staff to be very friendly as has been my experience at other Mexican airports. On one occasion, the airport operations attendant (where one pays for landing/parking) was noticeably less friendly or helpful but he might have been a bad apple or maybe was just having a bad day.

Things will go quicker if you understand the basic flow, which is the same at every airport I've been to. First, obtain a flight plan form from the SENEAM office. Fill it out and have it approved by the DGAC. Then pay airport operations and get the flight plan stamped. Then go back to the DGAC office for final sign off. Then drop off a copy of the flight plan with SENEAM. Fortunately, the DGAC, SENEAM office and airport operations are all clustered together at MMGL. As has been the case at other airports, the airport operations and ASA generally accept credit cards, but DGAC and immigration may not (although if you're not using MMGL as a port of entry you shouldn't need to pay DGAC or IMM). I have no idea what immigration for GA flights or getting an entry permit from the DGAC is like at MMGL, but my gut tells me it wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

Keep in mind if you are driving that parking rates are rather expensive (for Mexico) and as far as I know there's no separate parking for GA pilots. Better to take an uber or uberpool to and from the city (as low as 35 pesos for uberpool) or, if you absolutely must drive your own car, park at one of the cheaper off-airport lots which offer shuttle service to the commercial terminal (the commercial terminal and the GA entrance (Puerto/Gate 10) are relatively close (~2 min walk)). If you are catching an uber or taxi, you also have to catch it from the commercial terminal (ubers are far cheaper, better, safer etc. than taxis and unlike taxis, you won't be gouged for being a gringo).

One final word of caution. The first time I landed at MMGL, I made sure to specify general aviation ramp for parking to the tower and ground controllers. Both controllers nevertheless tried to direct me to Aerotron, which is separate from the general aviation ramp and where the fees are far, far, far higher. I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to miscommunication rather than a concerted effort/kickback scheme to steer traffic to the pricey FBO, but remain vigilant and make sure you are directed to the GA ramp. Make sure you have an airport/taxiway map indicating the location of the GA ramp (eg Jeppesen) so there are no surprises when you receive taxi instructions after landing.

Another good trip report, thank you. These reports are useful to those of us headed that way.
Keep it up

A couple things to add Re MMGL. The ground wait times can be quite long. On my departure today back home, I spent 30 minutes on the ground before I could take off. The airport has two runways but for whatever reason, even when the wind is calm, the controllers are reluctant to use both.