Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), the busiest air gateway in Baja California Sur, has entered the most ambitious phase of its 2025-2029 Master Development Plan under operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). Construction crews are now executing a verified 32 percent physical expansion of Terminal 2, adding thousands of square feet of immigration and customs processing space to handle the surge in international arrivals that pushed SJD past 7 million passengers in 2024.
The modernization centers on unifying Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 into a single streamlined facility. GAP’s plan calls for expanding Terminal 2’s footprint to absorb domestic airline operations currently housed in Terminal 1, consolidating all flights under one roof by late 2027. The project includes widened concourses, additional boarding gates, upgraded baggage handling systems, and expanded retail and dining areas in the international arrivals hall.
E-Gate System and Faster Processing
Travelers clearing immigration at SJD are already benefiting from the fully operational E-Gate biometric system, which uses facial recognition and passport scanning to move passengers through entry control. Multiple travelers have reported “tarmac to taxi” times of under 15 minutes during off-peak hours, a dramatic improvement over the 45-minute waits common before the system launched. The E-Gates are positioned in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with additional units planned as part of the expansion.
What Visitors Should Know
During construction, expect detours in the Terminal 2 parking structure and temporary walkways connecting arrival areas to ground transportation. Private transfer companies including SJD Taxi and Cabo Airport Shuttle continue operating from their designated pickup zones outside Terminal 1 arrivals. Ride-share pickups remain available in Lot C. GAP has committed to keeping all gates operational throughout construction, though gate assignments may shift on short notice. Travelers flying through SJD between now and 2029 should allow an extra 15 minutes for navigating construction zones, particularly during peak afternoon arrival windows between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.