The largest airline in Mexico intends to start flying daily non-stop flights to Vancouver starting December 9, according to the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA).
“Aeromexico’s decision to fly to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) further strengthens our position as the gateway hub between Asia and the Americas,” said Craig Richmond, who is president and CEO of the VAA.
Mexican airlines that have flown to Vancouver have not always enjoyed great success.
The country’s then-oldest airline Compañía Mexicana de Aviación (Mexicana) had operated regular flights to Vancouver for several years until it ceased operations and sought bankruptcy protection in August 2010.
Nonetheless, the new Aeromexico service will not only attempt to meet latent demand but it will also add 160 jobs to the B.C. economy, $9.9 million in gross domestic product (GDP), $3.4 million in taxes and $2.9 million in wages to the province, according to VAA.
“Air connections between Mexico and Canada are essential to the growing mobility of citizens between both countries,” said Claudia Franco Hijuelos, who is the consul general of Mexico in Vancouver.
“The new Aeromexico flight from Mexico City to Vancouver will foster tourism, business, and student travel in both directions,” he added.
Aeromexico will operate a Boeing 737-700 aircraft with seat capacity for 124 passengers including 12 in Premier Business. Aeromexico offers connectivity to 45 destinations within Mexico and 16 destinations in Latin America.
Aeromexico already flies to central and eastern Canada.
The new route is ideal for those who want a red-eye flight.
Aeromexico planes will leave Mexico City International Airport (MEX) daily at 6 p.m. so they can arrive at YVR at 10:05 p.m. the same day. Flights then leave YVR at 11:20 p.m. and arrive in Mexico City at 7a.m. the following morning.
