When the chief of Volaris told us a few weeks back that they have word soon about how they plan to enter the US market, we figured that there'd be word about a few routes into Texas or the like. Nope. This is a big deal: Volaris signed a deal with Southwest Airlines to set up a code-sharing pact that starts in 2010. You know that Southwest already has a code-share deal with Canada's WestJet, set to begin next year, and that it has been looking southward as well. It does not give many details.
Unlike WestJet, which already flies to the US, Volaris does not now operate internationally, so either it or Southwest will have to start crossing the US-Mexico border to link-up. The two will announce flight schedules and additional features regarding the partnership by early 2010. "Our international expansion will happen with the best possible partner for a carrier of our characteristics - that is Southwest Airlines," said Volaris' chief executive officer, Enrique Beltranena. Volaris now serves 39 routes linking 23 Mexican cities with a fleet of 18 Airbuses that are on average two years old.
Leave a comment