New international air routes boost foreign travel from Mexico

The expansion of international flight routes from Mexican cities is driving growth in hotel bookings as better connectivity attracts more and more travelers. Aeromexico’s upcoming flights to Cartagena, scheduled to begin in February 2025, will expand its routes to Colombia by 25%, strengthening bilateral ties. At the same time, RateHawk, a B2B platform for booking hotels, airline tickets and transfers, reports a sharp increase in hotel bookings in Colombia, with a 100% increase in bookings for the period from February to May 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Similarly, Japan has emerged as a key destination for Mexican travelers, ranking as the fourth most popular destination last summer, according to RateHawk data. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that a record 100,000 Mexican visitors traveled to Japan between January and September 2024. The resumption of Aeromexico’s daily flights to Tokyo-Narita in March 2023, along with All Nippon Airways operations, has been a key driver in this trend. Jamil Neto, Regional Director for Latam at RateHawk, highlighted this shift in travel trends: “We have seen a significant increase in demand for overseas travel and growth in bookings through RateHawk. Year-on-year, hotel bookings in Japan have tripled. These figures show how new air routes can transform travel markets and open up destinations previously considered hard to reach.”

Growing demand for long-haul travel is driving the potential for further expansion of global air connections. Looking ahead, new international routes are being considered, with Guadalajara looking at direct flights to Paris and London, following the success of its Guadalajara-Madrid connection.

Mexico’s growing air connectivity cements its status as a hub for both inbound and outbound travel. Whether for leisure, business or cultural exploration, increased air accessibility is positioning the country as a gateway to the world. With new routes constantly emerging, travel agencies and tourism professionals can benefit from an increasingly adventurous and globally connected public.

“Every new air route creates a domino effect,” says Jamil Neto. “At RateHawk, we see first-hand how a single new connection can redefine travel patterns, increasing demand for new destinations and forcing travel agents to quickly adapt to travelers’ changing interests. RateHawk offers agents access to over 2.6 million accommodation options in 220 countries and territories, ensuring that the perfect stay can be booked anywhere in the world.”

Italy, France and Spain remain the top European destinations for Mexican travelers, according to RateHawk, with connections between Mexico and Spain set to strengthen in 2024. Last year, nearly 2 million passengers traveled on direct routes between the two countries, and trips by Mexicans to Spain increased by 11.6%. The Madrid-Mexico City route was Mexico’s second-busiest international corridor, according to the Center for Advanced Research in Sustainable Tourism.

Mexico’s tourism sector is also reaching new heights, driven by a growing network of international air routes that improve connectivity and attract a growing number of global travelers. Recent additions, including WestJet’s new service between Calgary and Mexico City, launching in mid-May 2025 with five weekly flights in each direction, will strengthen accessibility between Canada and the Mexican capital. Meanwhile, new connections such as the seasonal Mérida to Los Angeles route, Puerto Vallarta’s direct connection to New York, and Aeroméxico’s upcoming flights between Mexico City and Cartagena underscore Mexico’s growing appeal as a top-tier travel destination.

Source: RateHawk.