A significant milestone in air travel has been achieved with the launch of the first non-stop flight between Philadelphia and Mexico City, starting June 6. This development follows years of negotiations and strong advocacy from the Mexican and Latino communities. The inauguration ceremony, held at the A11 lounge, was attended by the Mexican Consulate, executives from the Philadelphia International Airport, Aeromexico, Delta, municipal government officials, and other partners. Atif Saeed, CEO of the Philadelphia Airport, expressed his excitement, stating, “Not every day do we celebrate an international flight; today is historic.” He also praised the Mariachi Pedro Villaseñor for their musical contribution to the festive occasion. A delegation of business representatives and community leaders accompanied the Consulate on the inaugural flight, aiming to strengthen future ties. The new route is expected to generate an annual revenue of $30 million. The timing aligns well with Philadelphia hosting major events this year and in 2026, including the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico City. Ivan Vukov, Aeromexico’s U.S. sales director, highlighted the airline’s pride in providing excellent non-stop service and its nearly 8-year partnership with Delta, which has transported over 50 million passengers between the U.S. and Mexico. With five new routes planned by the end of July and over 30 in the past year and a half, Aeromexico aims to operate nearly 100 daily flights between the U.S. and Mexico. The collaboration between Aeromexico and Delta forms the largest airline alliance flying between Mexico and the U.S., with Philadelphia anticipated to be a key part of this network. Mexican Consul Carlos G. Obrador Garrido Cuesta emphasized the importance of frequent travel to sustain these direct flights long-term. Previously, travelers to Mexico City had to endure long journeys with at least one layover. The airport celebration featured mariachi music, a traditional Mexican breakfast, complimentary Mexican candies, and promotional items from the airline. Key partners in re-establishing the direct flights included the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Philadelphia Representative Office, Economic Development Office, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, World Affairs Council, and United States-Mexican Chamber of Commerce.
— new from Impacto Media
