Aeromexico, the global airline of Latin America, and the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced today that air service between Mexico and New Mexico will become a reality February 9. The first AeroMexico flight from Chihuahua City will depart at 11:05 a.m. MST and touch down at 12:25 p.m. MST at Albuquerque International Sunport. The inaugural flight from Albuquerque to Chihuahua City will depart at 1:10 p.m. MST and arrive at 2:30 p.m. Non-stop service on 50-passenger Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets will be scheduled three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Frank Galan, Vice President, U.S. Division, AeroMexico, said, “AeroMexico sees a real need for this service between Albuquerque and Chihuahua because it will expand opportunities for growing international business and tourism. We appreciate the support shown by Governor Richardson and other officials in New Mexico and Chihuahua who helped this route take off.”
Governor Bill Richardson said, “With connecting flights from Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City, tourists and businessmen from Mexico’s largest markets now have direct access to experience all that New Mexico has to offer. And, of course, New Mexicans traveling to Mexico for business or for pleasure can make the same connections.”
New Airline Service Will Support Growth of International Business and Tourism
Governor Richardson, as chairman of the New Mexico-Chihuahua Commission, took the lead in negotiations with AeroMexico, the state of Chihuahua, Chihuahua City and Albuquerque, which culminated in the new link that will increase access for international business and tourism.
“Southern New Mexico has been enjoying the growing numbers of Mexican tourists who have been coming to the state over the last several years,” said New Mexico’s Economic Development Secretary Fred Mondragon, whose department was instrumental in working out the details. “These flights will open the door to make the rest of New Mexico more accessible. Mexico’s growing middle class has money to spend and time to travel – and New Mexico has the cultural and language synergy to be good hosts to them.”
The New Mexico-Chihuahua link modernizes a portion of a travel and trade route that is as old as the presence of Europeans in the Southwest. The Spanish colonial road El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro linked Santa Fe and Taos in New Mexico to Chihuahua City and on to Mexico City and Veracruz on the coast. It was the backbone of trade and commerce into New Mexico from the late 16th century until the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, linking Santa Fe with Kansas, in the early 19th century.
“Albuquerque is very excited to host this international flight and we know that it will greatly benefit not only our community but the state as a whole,” said Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez.
“It will enrich the business and cultural experiences of citizens of both countries as this air route brings us closer together,” said Governor Richardson.
Airline Offers Excellent Value and Award-Winning Service
This new airline service will provide travelers with excellent value based on AeroMexico’s competitive fares and premier style of award-winning service. The airline has been named “Best Airline in Mexico” in 2008 by readers of both Global Traveler and Business Traveler magazines. While on board, passengers will receive complimentary beverages, cocktails and meals at meal times along with attentive, personalized service. In addition, flight schedules provide convenient arrival and departure times to complement the airline’s superior, on-time performance record. Attractively priced vacation packages, which include airfare, hotel accommodations and rental car, will also be available through AeroMexico Vacations.
AeroMexico and its subsidiary, AeroMexico Connect, currently operate more than 600 daily flights through the airline’s Mexico City International Airport hub to 40 destinations in Mexico, 12 U.S. locations as well as major cities that include Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires in 12 other countries worldwide. U.S. cities served currently are Los Angeles, Ontario (Ca.), San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle-Tacoma, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, New York City, Orlando and Miami. Service will be added to Denver on February 1, San Francisco on February 12 and Toronto on March 3. AeroMexico Vacations provides customized vacation travel packages throughout its network. The airline also offers connecting service to other international destinations through its SkyTeam global airline alliance with 11 full member carriers and three associate carriers. AeroMexico has been recognized for its award-winning style of personalized in-flight service, one of the world’s best on-time flight records, the highest safety and quality standards ratings, outstanding reliability and baggage handling performance, and exceptional value based on its competitive fares and superior service. Additional information is available at www.aeromexico.com or 1-800-237-6639.
