HOUSTON--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.