As Tourism Grows, Airlines Continue to Add Flights in Quintana Roo

Image: PHOTO: Cancun, Mexico (Courtesy of Quintana Roo Tourism Board)

by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Wed November 7, 2018

Cancun is Mexico's hub for international tourism and it's offering even better connections.

The Quintana Roo Tourism Board announced that its global air connectivity continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Both new direct international flights to Cancun International Airport as well as the expansion of existing routes to the region are pushing growth in the region.

These growing air routes are welcome news as the region continues to expand its tourism footprint as visitors flock to Cancun's most popular destinations, including Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Bacalar, Tulum, Mahahual, and Chetumal.

The following are recent announcements for new air connectivity:

-Aeromexico: New route from Medellin, Colombia

-Copa Airlines: Upgrading to larger 737 aircraft on its existing Panama City, Panama, route

-Frontier Airlines: New routes Raleigh-Durham and Las Vegas in the U.S.

-GOL Airlines: New route from Brasilia, Brazil

-Southwest Airlines: New routes from Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, and San Antonio in the U.S.

-WestJet: New routes from Calgary, Saskatoon and Vancouver in Canada

"This continued increase in international air connectivity demonstrates the growing demand for Quintana Roo's tourism destinations and high-quality attractions," said Dario Flota Ocampo, CEO of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board.

"These recent expansions offer millions of travelers in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Colombia new direct flights to Quintana Roo and its destinations, and we will continue to work closely with global airline partners to pursue new routes and in joint marketing initiatives."

The Quintana Roo Tourism Board is also working to further strengthen its relations with U.S. airlines. Recent planning meetings took place with senior representatives of United Airlines in Chicago, American Airlines in Dallas, and Delta Air Lines in Atlanta. During the meetings, the U.S. airlines expressed an "ongoing commitment" to serving Mexico and specifically Cancun and Cozumel international airports.

Tourism in the region continues to grow. The state of Quintana Roo welcomed more than 7 million international tourists in the first half of 2018, an increase of 8 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

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