The restoration of flights between ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and destinations in Mexico began Wednesday when Mexican airline Aeromar announced it is entering the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ market.
The airline will offer four weekly flights between ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Hermosillo, Sonora; Los Mochis and Mazatlán, Sinaloa; and Guadalajara, Jalisco.
“We are committed to these cities,†Andrés Fabre, CEO of Aeromar, said during an announcement at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ International Airport.
He said the determination of the airport, tourism officials and city leaders to bring air service to Mexico from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ impressed him.
“This is a good example of a win, win, win, win situation,†Fabre said.
Aside from business travel to Hermosillo, he foresees medical and academic tourism in both directions keeping the airline busy.
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“This is a great time to promote a two-nation vacation,†Fabre said of plans to market ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥-Sonora vacations to visitors from Europe and from eastern parts of the United States.
The flights will operate Fridays, Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, with one-way fares beginning at $150 to Hermosillo and $183 to Guadalajara.
The aircraft is a 46-passenger ATR-42 turboprop with two-by-two seating. The flights to Hermosillo will be about one hour and begin Oct. 3.
“Re-establishing nonstop and direct air service into Mexico has been one of our highest priorities,†said Bonnie Allin, president and CEO of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Airport Authority. “It’s an important economic link for our region’s trade and logistics sectors.â€
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ lost its last international flight in 2008 when Aeromexico discontinued its flights to Hermosillo.
“All I can say is, ‘Yes!’†ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said with a fist pump. “I’ve been working on this since taking office and since we were just coming out of the recession, I was told to be patient.â€
He said connectivity to Hermosillo is significant because it’s the capital of Sonora and a major manufacturing hub with cross-border supply chain connections.
“And no more travel to Phoenix to get to Mexico City,†Rothschild said to applause from a crowd.
Hermosillo is putting together promotional packages so that tourists will stay in Sonora and explore the region, said Antonio Berumen, tourism director for Sonora.
“We don’t want it to be just a connection,†he said.
Extending an invitation to outdoor enthusiasts, Esteban Balderama, director of tourism for Sinaloa, said Mazatlán offers great beaches and water sports, while Los Mochis has hunting opportunities and the iconic Copper Canyon.
“Yes, we have a canyon — and I don’t want to brag — but it’s bigger than yours,†he said.
The addition of the direct flight to Hermosillo will be the 19th direct nonstop flight available from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airport.
Direct flights to Guaymas/San Carlos, Sonora, will also begin in October when Carlsbad, California-based CalJet will begin flying a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 jet four times a week between ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Guaymas, as well as between Phoenix and Guaymas.
