Airlines continue to expand services to Mexico, including Cancun and Cozumel
Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Mexicana Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Sunquest Airlines, Sunwing Airlines, United Airlines and more have expanded schedules and/or launched new routes
Mexico City (September 12, 2006) – Airlines are responding to increasing US and Canadian demand for service to Mexico by widening service options to the country’s many destinations. During the past six months, major airlines and low-cost carriers in both countries have enhanced service schedules to different parts of Mexico through additional frequencies of existing routes and the launch of new services.
Among the airlines increasing flights is Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based carrier plans to increase its Mexican service by 30 per cent during the peak winter holiday season, including increasing flight frequencies from Denver to Cancun. Starting December 16, Frontier commences a new non-stop service between San Diego and Cancun with one flight weekly.
Adding three new Mexico routes this year, United Airlines’ most recent launch was in July connecting Chicago and Cancun. The carrier had initiated its Los Angeles-Cancun route in March. The new flights to Mexico are offered via the airline’s low-cost counterpart, Ted.
Other flight additions to existing routes include service by Alaska Airlines, which will lengthen its list of services to Mexico resort cities this fall with six more weekly flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco, thus increasing its Mexico capacity by 22 per cent. The carrier also plans to inaugurate non-stop services between San Francisco and Cancun, and Seattle and Cancun.
Northwest Airlines, subject to government approval, will include a new service between Memphis and Cozumel. The flight will operate on Saturdays from February 17 through April 14, 2007.
JetBlue Airways will make its first entrance to the Mexico market November 30 with non-stop flights between its hub in New York and Cancun.
Air Canada will add 25 more non-stop flights per week this winter between Canada and Mexico for a total of 61 weekly flights. The new routes to Mexico include service between Toronto and Cozumel, slated to begin in mid-December. Frequency was also increased in July for the Montreal-Cancun route, which will operate twice weekly this winter.
Sunwing Airlines announced plans to operate Montreal-Cancun and Ottawa-Cancun flights on Fridays starting this fall. Earlier this year Sunwing began service between Toronto and Cozumel, and for the winter season from December through March 2007 the airline will operate a Sudbury-Cancun route.
For the winter season, Sunquest Airlines will also begin services from Hamilton to Cancun and the Riviera Maya starting in December.
The increased number of expanded routes, however, has not been limited to international services. Mexican airlines, particularly the low-cost carriers, are also boosting services. Private and semi-private airlines such as Avolar, ABC Interjet and Volaris, as well as Mexicana Airlines have launched low-cost flights to different parts of Mexico. Aladia, one of Mexico’s newest airlines, is slated to launch this summer.
Expansion of inbound air transportation to Mexico is aligned with the goal of the Mexican government’s comprehensive, long-term tourism plan to increase the number of international visitors. With 21.9 million visitors in 2005, the country is ranked seventh as an international tourism destination according to World Tourism Organization figures released in June.
“That airlines across the board are increasing flight options to Mexico demonstrates the high degree of confidence the travel industry has in our country, and the interest travellers have in discovering Mexico for themselves. Mexicans are known around the world for their warmth and hospitality, and North American travellers will be welcomed with open arms,” said Magdalena Carral, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board.
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