Tampico Airport (TMA/MMTM) is a small airport located in the city of Tampico just by the seaside of the Mexican Golf. With 750.000 passengers a year, the airport has not much traffic to offer, but it is used by civil (almost only domestic flights except some very few connections to the US such as Houston) and military aircraft and there is also quite a bit of GA and helicopter traffic here.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with David Eugenio Torres Kelly. Last Update: 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	1200x30m
13/31	2550x45m
18/36	1300x30m
Terminals
T1	Only one facility handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed and not recommended.
Car/Public Transport	To get around, take public transport or a reliable and safe transport by Urban, no matter which route you take, all of them will take you to the zone: at the time of boarding, the driver will ask you where you are going
Drinks/Food	Around the airport are some shops and restaurants.
Hotels	No spotter hotels here.
Season	Traffic-wise there is no on/off-season.
Security	Mexico is quite infamous for its insecurity around the country and for places like these it is recommended that you go with a local to avoid any problems. So try to get in touch with locals first, please. Futhermore just always keep a low profile with the camera as robberies are not unsual here.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 13/31 is used for most movements – especially the bigger aircrafts – in both directions and due to little traffic there may be changes as well. The two smaller runways are only used by a few sports/GA aircraft.

	Spot #1 – Tampico highway – 13 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located along the Tampico – Ciudad Mante highway. Depending on the sun’s position, either stand on the bridge above the highway in the north close to BBVA banco or south in the curve close to the Mobil gas station.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 13.
TIME	All day as you can move with the sun.
MISC.	In the area there are two self-service stores called Oxxo and the area does not have many restaurants.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm E175 = 100mm

TMA-Spot1

TMA-Spot1

TMA-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Pemex – 31 Arrivals
WHERE	The place is located on Boulevard Adolfo Lopez Mateos, but no exact position, either the area around the gas station here.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 31.
TIME	Late morning/early noon till sunset.
MISC.	In the area there is a gas station and a self-service store called Arteli, and the area has a wide variety of restaurants.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm B738 = 75mm

TMA-Spot2

TMA-Spot2

TMA-Spot2