Los Cabos Airport To Add New System To Prevent Additional Terminal Flooding

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We at The Cabo Sun have been following the recent surprise downpours that sent water right into Terminal 1 — the national terminal — and yes, those viral clips of travelers watching rainwater creep across the floor were real.

Airport director Francisco Villaseñor has now confirmed that an additional flood-prevention system is being brought in so that the next “once-in-a-year” storm doesn’t spill straight into the building.

What actually happened?

The September and October rains dumped so much water on San José del Cabo that runoff pooled on the airport platform (the area right outside the terminal) and, because Terminal 1 sits basically at the same level, the water just… walked in.

The drainage system itself didn’t “fail” — it was just overwhelmed by the volume and speed of the storm, which we also reported around town.

#Video| Así luce el aeropuerto internacional de Los Cabos, Bja California Sur, después de una fuerte lluvia registrada esta tarde en San José del Cabo.

El agua no solo invadió la pista aérea, sino alcanzó hasta la sala de espera.
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.#Lluvias #SanJosedelCabo #BCS pic.twitter.com/tOeXUX7JL2

— MetrópoliMx (@metropolimxbcs) September 26, 2025

So what’s the fix?

Villaseñor says the airport is about to receive a system of gates/sluices to install on each of the Terminal 1 doors where water entered.

Think of it like a removable barrier that pops into place when there’s an atypical downpour: water stays outside, passengers stay dry inside. He stressed that SJD already has a pluvial system, but this will work as a second line of defense for “atypical events.”

That’s important because we’re in a run of wetter-than-normal weather in Los Cabos — local authorities have been warning about strong systems like Priscilla and the knock-on flooding they bring. Extra hardware at the airport is simply catching up to the climate reality.

Why travelers should care

1. Fewer soggy delays in the terminal. Last time, flights themselves weren’t impacted — runways and operations were fine — but passengers in the national terminal were uncomfortable and staff had to react on the fly. The new barriers should keep disruptions to a minimum.
2. It fits with all the other airport works. We’ve already been telling readers to add time because of the FONATUR roundabout underpass that’s making the drive to SJD slower right now — and that hasn’t changed.
3. It protects the airport while we wait for the big upgrade. GAP’s long-term plan is to merge Terminals 1 and 2 into one single terminal between late 2027 and early 2028. This temporary solution keeps today’s terminal usable until that project lands.

How this ties into what we’ve already reported

When we covered the day “Los Cabos Airport Flooded As Surprise Rains Bring San José del Cabo To A Standstill,” we noted that weather — not poor management — was the main villain. Today’s announcement basically proves that point: the airport is saying, “yes, that was unusual, but we’re adding hardware so you don’t have to see it again.”

At the same time, the biggest pain point for fliers is still getting to the airport on time, not what happens once you’re inside. Our run to SJD this week picked up an extra 10 minutes around the work zone, and if you’re landing or departing on a holiday weekend — like the current Halloween/Dead of the Dead festivities — stack delays on delays. That advice from our piece on whether airport traffic is improving yet still stands: leave 3–3.5 hours before departure, especially if you’re coming from farther down the corridor.

Bottom line for visitors

• Yes, the airport is installing a new system to hold back rainwater.
• No, this doesn’t mean the airport is unsafe — it’s just getting smarter about extreme weather.
• Yes, you should still plan extra time because of road construction — the indoor fix doesn’t solve the drive.
• And yes, it’s another sign Los Cabos is investing in making your arrivals smoother, right alongside the underpass that’s meant to finally unclog that roundabout in 2026.