Airlines Continue Expanding Service To & From Mexico

Tim Wilson - GAYPV Magazine
April 20, 2015

Airlines are responding to increasing demand for service to Mexico by widening service options to the country's many destinations. Greater air access contributes to boosting international tourist arrivals.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The news from the airlines regarding Mexico continues to get better. Traditionally the jet set in Mexico have had to do their traveling by bus. Not so great for a short trip to Puerto Vallarta or somewhere else for the weekend.

The most important news is Southwest Airlines announcing last week that they've applied for a new route from Denver, Colorado to Puerto Vallarta. Why the interest in Latin America? Latin America (which includes Mexico) is considered to be one of the most lucrative markets, after Asia, for growth by US airline companies. The market is expected to grow 5% over the next 10 years as compared to only 3% in the U.S. domestic market.

However, it is not all one sided. The Mexican airlines are also finding their way into the US. Mexican carrier Volaris announced April 16, 2015 the launch of new international service connecting the city of Leon in Guanajuato with Los Angeles, California. With four flights a week, the new service is scheduled to initiate operations on June 8, 2015. Volaris is in fact the carrier operating the greatest number of routes between Mexico and the US with 136 routes to 59 outstanding destinations on both sides of the border, and from Leon they operate 40 flights per week.

Conde Nast Traveler indicates VivaAerobus wants to take over the low budget airline market in Latin America. They launched service three times weekly March 28, 2015 from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport to Monterrey and Guadalajara. VivaAerobus flies to three U.S. destinations, in addition to DFW Airport. All this was made possible when VivaAerobus ordered 52 new A320 aircraft in 2013 with 8 available for operation this year.

Mexico's jet set is traveling more. Statistics from Grupo Aeropuerto del Pacifico show from January to March 2015 domestic air arrivals to Puerto Vallarta airport increased 20.7% from 2014. That was more than the increase from international visitors (14.5%). This is only going to get better as Mexico's economy grows.