According to the Mexico Tourism Secretariat, Mexico saw a 19.2 percent increase in international tourist arrivals by air from January to August 2010 compared to the same period last year for a total of 7.1 million international visitors. Of those visitors, 4.33 million were from the U.S., a 15.7 increase in U.S. visitor numbers compared to 2009. And, going forward, tourism officials expect to see even higher air arrival numbers with the launch of new flights to Mexico from Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines.
Beginning Nov. 1, Continental plans to launch daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Leon/Guanajuato, Mexico (BJX), complementing already existing service to BJX from Houston. Additionally, it is working with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch weekly nonstop flights to Cancun from Austin and San Antonio, Texas, as early as Feb. 19, 2011. Continental currently serves 30 different destinations in Mexico.
Delta plans to launch new nonstop Saturday flights from Memphis, Tenn., to Mexico City beginning Jan. 8, 2011.
United is also increasing its service to Mexico City. On Oct. 15, United launched a second daily flight from LAX to Mexico City, with a third daily flight to commence on Jan. 14, 2011. Beginning Nov. 4, it will increase its current Saturday-only service from Chicago to twice-daily service; its daily service from San Francisco to Mexico City will also increase to twice-daily service. Between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3, 2011, United will also begin offering once-daily service to Mexico City from Denver.
The Details
Continental Airlines
www.continental.com
Delta Airlines
www.delta.com
United Airlines
www.united.com
Visit Mexico
www.visitmexico.com
