Cross Border Xpress, the 390-foot, one-of-a-kind pedestrian bridge that connects the United States to Mexico’s Tijuana International Airport has announced its passenger traffic count from July to September 2-19 went up 30% compared to the same time last year.
According to a press release, in order to better accommodate the growing number of travelers crossing the bridge every day, CBX has plans to expand “key areas” within terminals. This includes reconfiguring the departures lobby to include an additional e-gate, to be completed by mid-November. In April 2019, CBX also launched automated e-gates, that allow travelers to scan their CBX ticket and airline boarding pass for quick and easy entry.
Additionally, according to the press release, new purchase kiosks were added, as well as computer stations where passengers can fill out required paperwork digitally. Other expansion plans include additional restrooms and an expansion to the current Customs and Border Protection processing area, bringing the total number of booths up from four to eight. The expansion spans 80,195 square feet and is expected to be completed by November 2020, states the release.
“Since its conception, CBX has sought to improve the travel experience for the millions of people who travel between the U.S. and Mexico each year,” said Jorge Goytortua, CEO of CBX. “These increases in passenger growth are not only a testament to the great strides we have made over the past four years but are further proof of the opportunities for positive tourism on both sides of the border.”
Earlier this month, CBX partnered with Visit California to launch a California Welcome Center, located in the arrivals terminal. One of 18 Welcome Centers across the state, it offers visitors from Mexico bilingual assistants, translated media, California guides and other digital interactions, as per the release.
Opened in 2015, CBX is the first-ever U.S. facility to connect directly into a foreign airport. It services an average of 8,000 ticketed airline passengers daily.
Travel & Hospitality reporter Mariel Concepcion can be reached at mconcepcion@sdbj.com or 858-634-4625.
