TAMPA, Fla. \- Tampa International Airport (TPA) celebrated a new chapter in international travel on Monday with a festive welcome for Aeromexico, their newest partner airline offering nonstop service to Mexico City.
The celebration kicked off before the arrival of Aeromexico's inaugural flight from the Mexican capital. Airport officials, representatives from Aeromexico, their SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines, and local tourism and economic development agencies all gathered to mark the occasion.
The festive atmosphere was complete with traditional Mexican treats and drinks. Guests enjoyed refreshing Aguas Frescas and authentic pastries while a Mariachi band filled the air with lively music. To further celebrate the cultural connection, the Tampa City Ballet even performed a piece inspired by the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, from their show "If I Cry."
Read: Tampa Bay Area Weather Forecast: July 1st – July 5th, 2024
This new route holds significant importance. Tampa Bay was previously Aeromexico's largest unserved market in the US. With this addition, Aeromexico now boasts 23 destinations across the country, with Tampa becoming their third location in Florida alongside Orlando and Miami.
“Tampa International Airport celebrates a major milestone in connecting our region to the world today by welcoming our new airline partner Aeromexico and this daily, nonstop service to Mexico City,” TPA CEO Joe Lopano said. “I’d like to thank our community partners across Tampa Bay for working tirelessly to help make this relationship possible and for strengthening ties to encourage the continued success of our thriving region.”
Almost 80,000 people in Tampa Bay are from Mexico, making them the region’s second-largest foreign-born population, behind only Cuba. Economic estimates say this new route will generate almost $70 million per year, strengthening the regional economy and improving relations with Mexico, an important trade partner for Florida.
Read: Tampa Bay Lightning Making Room For Stammer By Dealing Sergachev, Jeannot?
Aeromexico is flying the new route to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) aboard Embraer E190 aircraft with 99 seats, including 11 in Aeromexico’s premium cabin, Clase Premier.
“We will continue working with the Airport and our partners to keep strengthening the links between our communities. We’re proud that our efforts over many years are reflected in Aeromexico’s decision and we look forward to mutual success. With top-tier amenities and an ever-growing cultural scene, the spotlight continues to shine on Tampa Bay as a top international destination," said Santiago Corrada, President & CEO Visit Tampa Bay.
Aeromexico is a founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance alongside of Delta Air Lines, and the airline’s daily service to Mexico’s capital will offer seamless connections to and from their extensive network across Mexico and Latin America.
"At Aeromexico, we are committed to strengthening our connectivity network between Mexico and the United States, working with our partner Delta Air Lines,” said Jose Zapata, Vice President of Sales for the United States, Canada and Latin America. “Today, we begin flying directly to Tampa from Mexico City, making it much easier and more convenient to travel between these two destinations for our diverse passengers."
__Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.__
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter.Sign up for our free newsletter.
