Agua Caliente Airstrip

The closure was a direct result of political and economic changes. In 1935, Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas outlawed all forms of gambling, which was the economic lifeblood of the Agua Caliente Casino and Resort. Without the casino, the resort was no longer viable. The entire complex, including the airstrip, was subsequently expropriated by the Mexican government and repurposed. The land was turned over to the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA) for use as a military installation.

The site of the former airstrip is now completely integrated into the Campo Militar No. 2-A, a large and active military base belonging to the Mexican Army. The open land where the runway once existed is now used for military drills, parades, vehicle staging, and general training purposes. The area is clearly visible on satellite maps as a large, open rectangular space adjacent to the still-operating Agua Caliente Racetrack (Hipódromo de Agua Caliente) and the Plaza Galerías Hipódromo shopping mall. It is not accessible to the public.

The Agua Caliente Airstrip was a crucial component of the world-famous Agua Caliente Casino and Resort, which operated from 1928 to 1935. Its primary purpose was to provide exclusive, direct access for wealthy American tourists, Hollywood celebrities, and powerful figures seeking to bypass land border crossings. During the Prohibition era in the U.S., the resort and its airstrip were symbols of luxury, glamour, and escapism. The airstrip handled private aircraft and small charter flights, flying in notable guests such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Al Jolson, and the Marx Brothers. It was one of the earliest examples of dedicated aviation infrastructure built specifically to support a tourism complex in Mexico, playing a significant role in establishing Tijuana's international reputation in the early 20th century.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Agua Caliente Airstrip. The site is now an essential and long-established military installation located in the heart of a densely populated urban area. The city of Tijuana is served by the large, modern General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport (TIJ), which handles all of the region's commercial and general aviation needs. The logistical, political, and financial hurdles of decommissioning a major military base and redeveloping the land for aviation in a constrained environment make its revival as an airport completely unfeasible.