Mexico adds millions of seats in airlift capacity in 2017

Aeromexico has been among those leading the charge

Figures from the Mexico Tourism Board have shown international airline connectivity into the country has increased dramatically – reaching 28 million seats in direct flights to Mexico per annum.

This includes 2.6 million seats added so far in 2017 alone, representing a growth rate of 10.2 per cent compared to all of 2016. 

This growth in new seat capacity is close to triple the one million new seats for the year announced on January 29th, 2017.

These figures include seats on new direct routes as well additional seats added on existing routes where frequencies have increased or aircraft capacities flying those routes were upgraded to meet growing customer demand.

“This continued growth in international air connectivity speaks to Mexico’s attractiveness as one of the world’s top tourism destinations and our continued potential to outperform the international tourism industry as a whole,” said Hector Flores, chief executive, Mexico Tourism Board. 

“These new routes and expanded capacity will enable us to continue to grow share of travellers from established markets in North America and Europe, as well as expand in such high-potential markets as China, Japan and Korea.”

The increase of more than two million new seats on direct flights was facilitated by the introduction of more than 40 new direct routes to Mexico during the first five months of 2017.

Mexico’s domestic carriers, led by Aeromexico, Interjet and Volaris, accounted for approximately half of the capacity increases, with the other half provided by international carriers from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Mexico City was the top destination for the capacity increases, accounting for approximately 37 per cent of the new routes.