[citation needed] During the 1970s, Tijuana experienced rapid growth, leading to expansions in both terminal and parking areas to meet escalating airport demand.

[citation needed] In the 1980s, both terminal space and passenger parking at Tijuana Airport became insufficient to meet demand.

In 1999, Tijuana Airport joined Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), a consortium headquartered in Guadalajara.

Other airlines such as TAESA, Aerolíneas Internacionales, Líneas Aéreas Azteca, and Avolar also established their hubs in Tijuana during the 1990s and early 2000s, operating extensive domestic networks.

As the airport grew in significance, emerging as one of the country's largest hubs, plans for a new terminal were contemplated, though no tangible progress has been made.

The realization of this project follows decades of planning and negotiations, addressing aspects such as border control, management, funding, and construction.

Notably, on December 19, 2015, the airport experienced its busiest day, recording a total of 164 flights between departures and arrivals.

[citation needed] The airport's proximity to the U.S. border makes it an appealing option for cross-border travelers heading to Mexican cities.

Named 'Nuevo Edificio Procesador' (New Processing Building), it features additional check-in counters, security lanes, boarding gates, and immigration facilities for both international flights and cross-border passengers entering from San Diego.

During the '70s, the cargo airline AeroCarga offered flights from Tijuana to La Paz, Mexico City, and Mérida, utilizing a fleet of Douglas DC-6 aircraft.

[citation needed] In 1983, Aero California launched the Tijuana-Los Mochis-Guadalajara route with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jets.

In the summer of 1987, Aeroméxico introduced flights to Bogotá, Colombia, utilizing Douglas DC-8-62 equipment on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

[citation needed] However, in 1988, Aeroméxico faced a crisis, declaring bankruptcy and undergoing restructuring, which impacted its services in Tijuana.

[citation needed] On May 11th, 2024, China Southern Airlines launched the bi-weekly Shenzhen-Mexico City route, using Airbus A350 equipment.

[13] Since the flight currently only flies to the airport as a layover, passengers inside the airplane are not allowed to exit the aircraft and must wait until landing at Shenzhen, their final and intended destination.

However, it is worth mentioning that China Southern Airlines is considering adding Tijuana to its route, allowing passengers to board and de-board the plane at the airport.

On July 12th, 2024, after a four-year hiatus, Hainan Airlines resumed its Beijing-Tijuana-Mexico City / Mexico City-Tijuana-Beijing route, retaining the three weekly flights and using the same Boeing 787-8 equipment it used to operate before the COVID-19 pandemic.

[15] This flight operates three times a week and is currently the airport’s second direct connection to the United States and its third international destination overall.

Additionally, along with Viva, it serves the longest domestic non-stop route in Mexico, from Tijuana to Cancún, with a flight time of over 4 hours.

The airport features a single 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) long 09/27 runway, a parallel taxiway, and an apron with 23 parking positions, mostly arranged for narrow-body commercial aircraft surrounding the two terminal pier buildings.

The Old Airport Terminal houses military facilities, and south of the former runway, 4 remote positions are located, mostly used by cargo airliners.

The passenger terminal accommodates both arrival and departure services for domestic and international flights within a multi-story building, including two pier concourses with 20 gates.

Here, passengers can access car rental services, taxi stands, snack bars, and souvenir shops.

Additionally, gates 19 and 20 are located at the east end of the terminal, where passengers board their aircraft directly from the apron.

Departing passengers can enter the building on the U.S. side before crossing the pedestrian bridge over the border, clearing immigration and customs, and boarding flights in the departure concourses in Tijuana.

The concept of a cross-border terminal was initially proposed in the 1960s as part of a broader plan to modernize Mexico's airports.

Building E, which hosts the parking facilities at Tijuana's Terminal underwent restructuring to support the new bridge's structure.

The project received accolades for its design and innovation and has undergone renovations and additions, including a new restroom facility and duty-free area completed in 2020.

It has an aviation platform of 14,400 square metres (155,000 sq ft), one hangar, and other facilities for the accommodation of air force personnel.

[31] There is no equivalent shuttle from Tijuana Airport back to downtown San Diego, as most people who connect between Tijuana Airport and San Diego pay to use the Cross Border Xpress and then take private vehicles or use Uber or taxi services since there is no public transportation from CBX.