Mexico City set to become latest international route to operate out of PHX
Phoenix, Arizona: Phoenix gets another international route in its growing quiver of global connections. According to reports, Aeromexico is launching a new service between Phoenix and Mexico City next year.
The new service will run daily between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Mexico’s capital city, but no specific times have been confirmed.
The last time a Mexican airline serviced Phoenix was 16 years ago, when Aeromexico Connect flew into Sky Harbor. That service ended in 2014. Flights are expected to begin on March 30, 2025. The airline will reportedly use a Boeing 737 MAX 8 for the three-hour flight.
The number of American tourists visiting Mexico has been consistently high in recent years, making the US the largest source of international tourists for Mexico.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexico was one of the top international destinations for American travelers. In 2019, over 39 million Americans visited Mexico, according to official data from the Mexican government.
Like many countries, Mexico saw a sharp decline in tourism during 2020 due to the pandemic. However, Mexico was one of the first countries to reopen its borders to international tourists, with relatively relaxed entry requirements compared to other nations.
In 2021, Mexico experienced a strong recovery in tourism, driven largely by American visitors. In 2021, around 32 million Americans visited Mexico.
By 2022 and 2023, tourism numbers surged to near pre-pandemic levels. In fact, the number of American tourists to Mexico reached record highs in certain months, surpassing pre-2019 levels.
While safety concerns related to crime in certain regions of Mexico are often a topic of discussion, they have not significantly impacted the overall flow of American tourists to major resort cities or popular tourist destinations.
PHX has seen a significant increase in the number of international routes in recent years. Sky Harbor has added several new international routes to destinations in Canada, Europe, and beyond. Notably, new flights to popular Mexican beach destinations like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas have been added.
PHX has added more direct flights to European cities too. British Airways has long operated direct flights between Phoenix and London Heathrow. In 2023, Lufthansa launched direct service between Phoenix and Frankfurt.
PHX has also seen an increase in flights to Canadian cities such as Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver. These routes are particularly popular during the winter months, as Canadian "snowbirds" head south to escape the cold.
As Phoenix is a major hub for American Airlines, it has played a significant role in expanding Sky Harbor's international network. American Airlines offers several direct flights to Mexico and Canada. Frontier and Southwest Airlines have also expanded their international services from Phoenix, particularly to destinations in Mexico.
Sky Harbor has invested in expanding and modernizing its terminals to accommodate the increased international traffic. Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 have seen significant upgrades, including more efficient customs and border protection facilities, making it easier for international passengers to move through the airport. The PHX SkyTrain, which connects passengers to the terminals and the rental car center, has expanded its reach, improving the overall connectivity and ease of access to the airport.