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Search & book flights with Aerotucán

Buy Aerotucán flights with Alternative Airlines

Travelling across Oaxaca by road can take hours, especially through the mountains. Aerotucán offers a faster way, flying short routes that turn a 10-hour drive into a 35-minute hop. As one of Mexico’s smallest airlines, it plays a big role in helping travellers move quickly between the highlands and the coast.

About Aerotucán ✈️

Founded in 2001 with a single Cessna, Aerotucán is a micro-regional airline based in Oaxaca, Mexico. It was created to shorten long, difficult road journeys between the state capital and coastal towns.

Today, it operates a small fleet of light aircraft, offering the only direct flights between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido.

While small in scale, Aerotucán fills a vital travel gap in one of Mexico’s most mountainous regions, helping both locals and tourists save time.

Where does Aerotucán fly to?

Aerotucán operates a small but important network of domestic routes within the state of Oaxaca. As of 2025, the airline connects Oaxaca City with three key destinations:

Puerto Escondido 📍

This is Aerotucán’s most popular route and the only direct flight option available between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido. The flight takes just 35-45 minutes, compared to a 7-10 hour drive through mountain roads.

Huatulco 📍

Another coastal destination, Huatulco is known for its resorts and beaches. Aerotucán offers regular, short-haul flights from Oaxaca City that save travellers hours on the road.

Ixtepec 📍

Located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Ixtepec serves as a regional connection point, mainly used for local travel.

There are no international routes operated by Aerotucán. The airline focuses entirely on domestic flights within Oaxaca, offering essential links in areas where ground transport is long, winding and often unreliable. This makes Aerotucán a popular choice for both tourists and locals looking to travel quickly across the region.

Aerotucán flight schedule

Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido ✈️

  • Aerotucán operates at least two flights daily between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido. This is the airline’s busiest route and remains active throughout the year.
  • Flights typically run in the morning and early afternoon, with extra services added during holiday periods and peak travel days like weekends.

Oaxaca to Huatulco ✈️

  • Flights from Oaxaca to Huatulco also run twice daily, with consistent year-round availability.
  • Like the Puerto Escondido route, these flights are short, averaging around 35 minutes, and are a time-saving alternative to the 7-hour road journey.

Oaxaca to Ixtepec ✈️

  • The Oaxaca-Ixtepec route operates less frequently, usually a few times per week.
  • This route mainly serves regional travellers and may have more flexible scheduling depending on demand.

No seasonal changes ✨

Aerotucán’s flight schedules are generally consistent year-round with no major seasonal changes. Unlike larger airlines, it doesn’t reduce service in low season. Instead, it maintains a steady schedule due to its essential role in local transport.

Flight times and availability can change with short notice, so it's always best to book early and confirm times directly with us at Alternative Airlines.

How to book Aerotucán flights

Booking Aerotucán flights is simple with Alternative Airlines, and you can even pay later if you want to. Here’s how to book one-way, return or multi-city flights in just a few steps:

1. Search your route 🔎

Head to our search form and enter your departure and arrival airports (e.g. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido), along with travel dates and passenger details.

2. Choose your flight type ✈️

Select whether you want a one-way, return or multi-city journey. Aerotucán currently flies short domestic routes within Oaxaca.

3. Browse and compare flights ✅

We’ll show you available Aerotucán flights. You can filter by time, stopovers and more. Since Aerotucán operates direct routes only, most options will be short-haul with no connections.

4. Pick how you want to pay 💸

Choose from 40+ ways to pay, including debit/credit card, PayPal and Buy Now Pay Later options that let you spread the cost over time.

5. Get your confirmation ✉️

Once booked, your flight confirmation will be sent straight to your inbox. There's no need to chase or call. You’ll be ready to fly with Aerotucán.

💡Need help? Our Customer Service Team is available 7 days a week to assist with bookings or changes.

Check-in for your Aerotucán flights

Online check-in 📱

  • Online check-in is not available for Aerotucán flights. All passengers must check in at the airport before departure.

Airport check-in 🛫

  • You’ll need to arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before your flight, as check-in desks close 15 minutes before take-off.
  • Aerotucán flights are short and use small aircraft, so boarding is fast, but timing is strict. Late arrivals risk losing the full value of their ticket.

What you’ll need 💳

  • A valid photo ID (passport or government-issued ID)
  • Your booking reference or confirmation number
  • Any baggage you need to check in

Good to know 💡

There are no digital boarding passes - everything is handled manually at the airport check-in desk. You’ll receive your boarding pass at the counter and head straight to boarding from there.

Best time to book Aerotucán flights

How much do Aerotucán flights cost? 🤔

  • Aerotucán follows a flat pricing model, meaning prices stay the same year-round, even during peak season.
  • Expect to pay between $150-175 USD one-way (3,000-3,500 pesos).
  • Tickets are non-refundable and only valid for six months from the date of purchase.
  • A small discount is available for Thursday flights (usually around 15% off), making midweek bookings the most affordable option.

Tips to save on Aerotucán flights 💡

Because prices don’t fluctuate much, it’s less about finding a deal and more about booking early to secure your seat, especially for weekend or holiday travel when demand is higher.

Here are some quick tips:

  • Book in advance: Aerotucán flights are limited and can fill up quickly
  • Fly midweek: Thursdays offer a small discount
  • Avoid last-minute bookings: With no digital waitlist, missing out means no flight

Best time to book 📅

If you’re flexible, off-peak travel months like May or September may offer more availability and fewer crowds, even if the price doesn’t change. Aerotucán doesn't raise fares seasonally, but accommodation and other travel costs in Oaxaca are often cheaper during these times.

On-board experience with Aerotucán

Cabin and seating 💺

  • Aerotucán operates small aircraft like the Cessna 208 Caravan, which seat 6 to 9 passengers.
  • There’s only one cabin class, with no seat upgrades or assigned seating. The layout is basic, with a mix of individual and paired seats depending on the aircraft.

Onboard amenities ✨

  • There are no in-flight amenities - no WiFi, entertainment or refreshments. These are short domestic flights (around 35-45 minutes), so the focus is purely on getting you to your destination quickly and safely.

Baggage policy 🎒

  • Checked baggage: 15kg allowance per passenger
  • Carry-on: 5-10kg for small personal items (limited space and no overhead bins)
  • Excess baggage: Charged at 30-50 pesos per extra kilo, paid at the airport

Customer service 🤝

  • Aerotucán’s service is straightforward and functional. Cabin crew aren’t present on most flights - the pilot may also handle boarding instructions.
  • There’s no loyalty program, in-flight announcements are minimal, and communication is mostly in Spanish.
  • While basic, the experience is efficient, especially for travellers looking to save time on domestic routes in Oaxaca.

Travel tips for regional flights in Mexico

Airport information 🛫

  • Aerotucán flights depart from Oaxaca International Airport. It’s a small airport, so navigating it is easy, but check-in is manual and closes 15 minutes before departure.
  • On arrival, Aerotucán uses smaller terminals in Puerto Escondido, Huatulco and Ixtepec, where baggage claim is usually quick.

When to arrive at the airport 🕑

  • Arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before your flight. Aerotucán doesn’t offer online check-in and boarding closes fast.
  • Late arrivals won’t be allowed to board and tickets are non-refundable.

Getting to and from the airport 🚕

  • Taxis and shared vans are available outside all Aerotucán-served airports.
  • In Puerto Escondido, many hotels offer pick-up, or you can use local colectivos.
  • Cash is essential for most transport options and prices are usually fixed by zone.

Entry requirements for Mexico 💳

  • No passport is needed for domestic flights if you’re already in Mexico. Just bring a valid government-issued ID.
  • International travellers should carry their passport and immigration documents (like FMM cards) just in case, especially when re-entering from other regions.

Alternatives to Aerotucán

If Aerotucán doesn’t fit your plans or you need a different route, here are five other airlines to consider for domestic travel in Mexico:

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Frequently asked questions

Can I fly direct from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido with Aerotucán?

Yes - Aerotucán is currently the only airline offering direct flights from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido. The flight takes just 35-45 minutes, compared to a 7-10 hour journey by road.

This route is extremely popular with both tourists and locals, so we recommend booking early, especially around weekends or holiday periods.

You can book this flight easily through Alternative Airlines, where you can also choose flexible ways to pay.

Is Aerotucán a safe airline?

Aerotucán has been flying since 2001, but it’s a small airline using light aircraft, which naturally come with different expectations than larger carriers.

  • Some passengers have recently raised concerns about maintenance and emergency procedures
  • There are no major regulatory bans or grounding reports, and it continues to operate under Mexican aviation authority approval
  • If you're unsure, booking through Alternative Airlines gives you support if anything changes before take-off

What aircraft does Aerotucán use?

Aerotucán mainly uses the Cessna 208 and 208B Grand Caravan, which are small, single-engine turboprop planes ideal for short hops. These aircraft:

  • Seat 6 to 9 passengers
  • Have a single-class layout
  • Are designed for regional flying, often to airports with short runways

Larger private aircraft and helicopters are part of their fleet, but these are typically reserved for charter flights, not scheduled routes.

Does Aerotucán have a baggage allowance?

Yes, but it's more limited than larger airlines. On Aerotucán:

  • You’re allowed 15kg of checked baggage
  • Carry-on is limited to 5-10kg, usually small personal items only
  • There are no overhead bins, so most bags go in the hold
  • Excess weight is charged at 30-50 pesos per extra kilo, paid at the airport

When booking with us, baggage details are shown before checkout, so there are no surprises later.

Can I choose my seat with Aerotucán?

Not really. Because of the small aircraft size and casual boarding process:

  • There are no assigned seats
  • Seating is based on boarding order or aircraft balance
  • Most layouts have club-style seating or single/double rows

If you need a particular seat (for comfort or motion sensitivity), arrive early at the airport and speak with staff - they’ll do their best to help.

What’s included in the ticket price with Aerotucán?

Aerotucán offers a basic fare that includes:

  • Your seat
  • 15kg checked baggage
  • One small carry-on
  • A direct flight with no add-ons

You won’t get:

  • Food or drink
  • In-flight entertainment
  • Loyalty points or perks

There’s also no refund policy. Once your ticket is booked, it’s valid for 6 months but cannot be changed or refunded. If you’d prefer a flight with more flexibility, you can use book refundable flights with Alternative Airlines.

How early do I need to arrive for Aerotucán flights?

You’ll need to arrive at least 1 hour before departure. Check-in is only available at the airport and closes 15 minutes before the flight leaves.

  • There’s no online check-in, digital boarding pass or mobile notifications
  • If you miss the cut-off time, your ticket is forfeited

Booking through Alternative Airlines ensures you’ll receive clear, up-to-date flight info, including check-in reminders and alerts if the schedule changes.

What if I need help in English when booking Aerotucán?

Aerotucán customer service mainly operates in Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish, this can make booking or confirming details difficult. That’s where Alternative Airlines makes life easier:

What payment options can I use to book Aerotucán flights?

If you book directly with Aerotucán, you’ll likely be limited to manual bank transfers or in-person payment. But through Alternative Airlines, you can choose from over 40 ways to pay including:

  • Credit and debit cards
  • Digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and more
  • Buy Now Pay Later services like Kueski Pay, Klarna, Zip, Sezzle and more
  • Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Ripple and more

It’s the simplest way to book Aerotucán with peace of mind, especially if you prefer flexible payments or want to book in your local currency.