Most limits on U.S.-Mexico flights are set to be lifted
Lower prices, more options expected
DALLAS — Most restrictions on flights between the U.S. and Mexico will lift today, a change expected to bring more options and possibly lower prices.
American, Delta and Southwest have already announced that they will offer new flights across the border later this year.
The United States and Mexico agreed in December to open their aviation markets to each other’s carriers. Airlines on both sides of the border will now be able to fly whatever routes they want as often as they want and set their own prices, said Thomas Engle, the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for transportation.
“This will help reduce airfares for sure,” said George Hobica, founder of the travel site airfarewatchdog.com.
Hobica said base fares between the U.S. and many destinations in Mexico are already low, but both countries impose taxes that inflate the price of a ticket. “The fares are low, it’s the rest that makes it seem expensive,” he said.
For example, on a round trip between Dallas-Fort Worth and Cancun, Mexico — already a popular route — taxes and fees can account for between 20 percent and 30 percent of the price of a bargain, economy-class ticket.
Southwest promoted fares as low as $258 for a round trip, although seats were limited and the offer was scheduled to end Sunday.
The agreement between the U.S. and Mexico does not relax limits on takeoffs and landings at Mexico City’s busy main international airport. So the first new flights from U.S. carriers will focus on resort towns in Mexico.
Delta Air Lines Inc. announced Friday that, on Dec. 17, it will start daily nonstop flights between New York’s Kennedy airport and Cancun, and between Los Angeles and Los Cabos. It will run Saturday flights between Kansas City and Cancun.
Southwest Airlines Co. announced that, on Dec. 4, it will start flying daily from Los Angeles to Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Southwest plans to fly from Oakland, Calif., to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta starting in February if it gets approval from the Mexican government.
American Airlines Group Inc. will begin flying between Miami and Merida on the Yucatan peninsula on Nov. 4, and from Los Angeles to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta on Dec. 15, a spokesman said.