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As Cancun and the broader Mexican Caribbean keep breaking tourism records, several airlines keep adding new routes and flight frequencies to meet the growing demand.
This is especially true for the U.S., as it remains the largest international market for the Mexican Caribbean, with direct flights from over 40 U.S. cities.
Just a few weeks back, American Airlines announced three new winter routes between Cancun International Airport and Nashville, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh, while Delta also recently introduced two, from Raleigh and Cincinnati.
And now, the popular low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines announced that it will be expanding its seasonal services to Cancun and other popular holiday destinations this fall, starting in October 2024.
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What The New Southwest Flights To Cancun Will Mean For Tourists
The development will introduce new seasonal weekend nonstop flights from Nashville and Phoenix, starting from October 5, plus resumed Saturday service from Atlanta and San Antonio.
Right now, there are hundreds of weekly flights from the U.S. to Cancun, offered by over a dozen of both American and international carriers.
Moreover, in September last year the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reinstated Mexico’s air safety level to category 1, the highest rating.
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As a result, Mexican airlines like VivaAerobus, Aeroméxico and Volaris were able to add new flights to the U.S. and resume collaborations with U.S. airlines, such as Aeromexico renewing its partnership with Delta Airlines.
All of this is to say that competition between airlines is tight, as major U.S carriers like American Airlines, Delta and United also boast excellent connectivity to Cancun from multiple U.S. cities.
Additionally, low-cost airlines such as Spirit Airlines and Frontier also offer affordable flights to Cancun, so pricing is not exactly an ace up the sleeve for Southwest here.
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Evidently, the Dallas-based airline isn’t oblivious to these facts, as the announcement of the new routes came along with enticing deals for travelers, including as a Valentine Day’s special offer.
“As Valentine’s Day approaches, customers can purchase their love the gift of an international getaway with several seasonal routes returning for fall travel,” the airline announced.
It’s likely that Southwest will unveil more of these special offers as the year unfolds, so if you keep an eye open you might catch a fantastic deal.
Why Traveling To The Mexican Caribbean Might Get Much Cheaper This Year
With daily operations between 500 and 600 flights, Cancun International Airport stands the main gateway to the region and is by far the busiest from the other 3 international airports in the region – Cozumel, Chetumal, and Tulum.
This isn’t likely to change soon, even as the Tulum International Airport, boasting a capacity of 5.5 million passengers annually, begins international operations at the end of March.
However, with popular carriers like United, Delta and Spirit having already announced nonstop flights to Tulum Airport, this move could siphon off some of Cancun Airport’s travelers, potentially bringing down flight prices.
Travel experts at Going have highlighted that despite a rise in demand over the last few years, flights to Mexico had remained limited – until the recent boom in flight frequencies as a result of the aforementioned developments.
“The number one driver for cheap flights is competition, so as more routes get added by more carriers, we will likely start to see which cities come out on top for cheaper flights to Mexico,” stated Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going.
Moreover, regional connectivity in the Yucatan Peninsula is set to reach new heights with the completion of the Maya Train project, which will feature stations at both Cancun and Tulum International Airports and provide a more convenient, reliable, and budget-friendly alternative to private transfers.
So, 2024 is on track to be the busiest year for tourism in the Mexican Caribbean ever, and Southwest’s upcoming expansion to Cancun this fall is a clear sign that the region remains a top favorite among travelers.
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