Flair Airlines launches first direct flights from Vancouver to central Mexico
The new weekly service connects Canada to the Bajío region, offering access to historic cities like San Miguel de Allende.
VANCOUVER — Flair Airlines has launched nonstop flights between Vancouver and Guanajuato International Airport in central Mexico.
The new route, which began on October 3, is the first direct air connection between Canada and Mexico’s Bajío region.
It will initially operate once per week using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
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The flight connects Vancouver International Airport with Guanajuato International Airport, also known by its BJX airport code and located near León.
"The route has a stronger tourism angle than a conventional airport-to-airport launch because BJX provides access to some of central Mexico’s best-known cultural destinations," according to reporting notes.
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City, León and Dolores Hidalgo can all be reached overland from the airport without requiring travelers to connect through Mexico City or Guadalajara.
Guanajuato authorities say Canada already generates more than 108,000 visitors annually to the state, making it an increasingly important international tourism market.
The state government has also highlighted the region’s gastronomy, vineyards, historic cities and cultural tourism as key attractions for Canadian visitors.
The airline announced introductory one-way fares from $189 when the service was first unveiled, although current prices will vary according to date and availability.
The biggest limitation at launch is frequency.
With only one nonstop flight per week initially scheduled, passengers have considerably less flexibility than on major Canada, Mexico resort routes.
A missed flight or schedule change could therefore require either waiting for the next weekly service or travelling through another Mexican or U.S. hub.
Even so, the route substantially simplifies access to a region of Mexico that previously required a connection for travelers beginning their journey in Canada.
Novello Desserts reported in October that short flights from Canada offer quick beach escapes to destinations like Cancún.
With files from Rus Tourism News