Newark and Houston flights end days apart
The last scheduled United flight from Newark to Tulum will fly on January 2, 2027. Houston's nonstop service will finish on January 4, completing the airline's withdrawal after the year-end holiday travel period.
Both cities have provided U.S. travelers with direct access to Mexico's Caribbean coast. Houston also serves as a major United connecting hub and was Tulum's busiest international route in 2025.
Figures from Mexico's Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil put Houston–Intercontinental traffic at 54,607 passengers that year. Next were Atlanta at 54,314, Dallas/Fort Worth at 46,869, Miami at 32,993 and Montréal–Trudeau at 30,328.
Other carriers have also cut service
Aeromexico and Volaris previously suspended Tulum routes amid unfavorable market conditions and softer demand. JetBlue has left the airport, while American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have scaled back. The airport's route listing also shows Volaris's Guadalajara service ending on January 7, 2027.
The contraction extends beyond U.S. carriers. The Tulum Times reported that Avianca, Copa Airlines, JetBlue and Volaris Costa Rica suspended service as the airport's international network narrowed between June 2024 and May 2026.
At the start of that period, Tulum had 12 international destinations and up to 10 departures a day. By May 2026, it served four international destinations, all in the United States, and received three international arrivals daily, according to the publication.
Capacity had already fallen in 2025. Cirium data cited by USA TODAY showed that American, Delta, JetBlue and United together offered 324,614 seats to Tulum that year, nearly 54,000 fewer than in 2024.
A separate winter expansion remains a plan rather than an established level of service. Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced that 10 airlines would connect Tulum with 13 destinations during the 2026–2027 winter season. The plan included nine international routes, compared with the four operating in May 2026.
Traffic falls short of the airport's capacity
Tulum International Airport opened for commercial flights on December 1, 2023. Officially named Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, with the code TQO, it is run by Grupo Olmeca-Maya-Mexica, a Mexican military-owned holding company.
The airport has a 3,700-meter runway and a terminal designed for 5.5 million passengers a year. Wikipedia lists 39,768 passengers in its first month and 1,248,645 in 2025. The Tulum Times gives a slightly different 2025 total of 1,244,661, describing it as barely 0.9% above 2024.
The Tulum Times reported 366,000 passengers for January through April 2026. For the first quarter, it put international traffic at 178,000, down 34%, and reported a 25% decline in domestic traffic.
The airport was intended to make southern Quintana Roo's beaches, archaeological sites and tourism communities easier to reach. Its available capacity, however, does not by itself ensure enough bookings to sustain airline routes.
The flight reductions alone also do not establish that tourism arrivals across Tulum have declined. A broader assessment would require hotel occupancy, visitor spending and airport passenger data.
Demand and costs shape United's decision
United's departure comes amid weaker demand and a broader reassessment of route profitability. Seasonal changes in bookings and the performance of the airline's wider network also influence which services it retains.
Higher fuel expenses add to that pressure. In late October, United gave a weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter outlook as elevated jet fuel costs weighed on its profit expectations. Those costs form part of the commercial backdrop, but the available information does not identify them as the sole reason for leaving Tulum.
Alternatives and refunds for passengers
Travelers losing a nonstop option can consider Cancún International Airport, the region's primary gateway, approximately 125 kilometers (78 miles) north of Tulum. Private transfers and scheduled passenger transportation provide onward travel by road.
An arrival in Cancún requires additional planning. Passengers should compare airfare and ground transportation costs, account for any accommodation changes and confirm transfer availability before booking, particularly around peak holidays.
United customers booked after the service end dates should check their reservations through the airline's website or app for schedule updates and replacement travel options. Rebooking or refunds may be available, depending on the applicable policies and regulations.
U.S. Department of Transportation rules generally entitle passengers to a refund if their flight is canceled and they decline the alternative transportation offered. Travelers whose arrival plans change should also contact their hotels and ground transportation providers and review their travel insurance coverage.
