Cross Border Xpress Transports 25 Million Travelers Across the Border in Its First Decade

SAN DIEGO — The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) opened its doors on December 9, 2015, offering a fast and efficient way to cross the U.S.-Mexico border between Tijuana International Airport and a terminal on the American side.

Passengers with a boarding pass and a CBX ticket can walk across the international border on a pedestrian bridge that is part of the facility. This unique setup allows for seamless travel without the need for traditional customs checkpoints.

The first person to officially use this bridge was Viry Martino. “My 15 seconds of fame 10 years ago,” she said. Martino was part of a group of dignitaries from both sides of the border invited to the facility to celebrate CBX’s first 10 years in operation.

She described the experience as meaningful, saying, “It fills me with joy to be part of a story that connects both communities. They mentioned it’s not only a physical bridge but a cultural bridge that brings us together.”

Martino told Border Report that she worked for the team that designed and built CBX and happened to be returning from Mexico City on the day it opened. “It’s a beautiful homecoming. I actually went to Mexico City after finishing the project, I was flying home on my birthday to San Diego and was able to be the first passenger.”

As it turns out, Martino was the first of more than 25 million people who have used CBX since it opened. “It’s something that makes us really proud,” said Jorge Goytortúa, CBX’s chief executive since 2017.

When it first opened, CBX investors believed that mostly business travelers would be drawn to its amenities and quick access between the two countries. However, it quickly became a draw for many others who were looking to avoid long border waits at the nearby ports of entry.

There are discussions about creating a similar facility to help border crossers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and its counterparts in Mexico have personnel in place to process travelers on their way to and from Tijuana’s airport.

Studies have shown the facility is primarily used by residents from Southern California who use CBX to get to Mexico, Latin America, and even China. “It’s a unique opportunity to connect to 35 cities in Mexico, China, and Asia,” Goytorta said. “Almost 50 percent of all Mexicans who travel into California arrive at CBX … the growth has been 11 to 14 percent annually.”

According to Goytortúa, the impact on the San Diego economy is an estimated $1.5 billion per year.

Tijuana’s airport is currently undergoing major renovations and upgrades throughout the site. Goytortúa called it “a major transformation” that will help increase the number of passengers who use the facility.

“The vision is that we can grow from 4 million users a year to 8 million by 2036,” he said. “This is a true symbol of innovation and collaboration between the two countries.”