

Challenge
Heavily congested border-crossing between San Diego and Tijuana Airport had people waiting 3-4 hours to cross.
Solution
Engineer a direct terminal between Å·²©ÓéÀÖ two locations.
Results
Travelers move between hubs in an average of 15 minutes.
3.2 million
94% reduction
Profitable

The Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) is located within walking distance of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. border which is Å·²©ÓéÀÖ world’s busiest border crossing with 3-4 hours wait times. This is a huge inconvenience for Å·²©ÓéÀÖ business travelers and tourists going to and from TIJ and San Diego, California.

To improve passengers’ experience, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Cross Border Xpress (CBX) was created, an enclosed pedestrian skywalk bridge and terminal exclusively for TIJ passengers who cross Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S./Mexico border as part of Å·²©ÓéÀÖir trip. Before it could be built, ICF was asked to do feasibility and market studies to show that would be a viable offering and our forecasts proved correct. ICF continues work with CBX by providing consulting services and marketing communications support through ICF Olson, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ company’s customer experience agency.

By using Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CBX facility travelers can access lower airfares when traveling between SouÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrn California and Mexico by flying out of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Tijuana airport. Some of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ benefits this travel option has brought to Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region are an increase in Mexican travelers visiting SoCal and Mexican airlines are opening more routes creating more destinations from Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Tijuana airport.

With travel made easier, more people are using TIJ: total passengers grew from 6.3 million in 2016 to 7.1 million in 2017. CBX has also spurred ongoing economic development throughout Å·²©ÓéÀÖ region; future development could include a hotel, shopping, and restaurants. CBX provides a simple, safe, and comfortable means of accessing affordable and direct flights to popular destinations.