Aeroméxico, in collaboration with Delta, inaugurated on Monday, July 1, the first non-stop route from Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Mexico City.
Flights to Mexico City will depart daily from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 4:36 pm, while the return from the Mexican capital is scheduled at 9:00 am.
The duration of the flight is approximately 4 hours 20 minutes. For the moment it will be a daily flight.
Regarding prices, Iván Vukov, sales director of Aeroméxico in the United States, indicated to Enlace Latino NC which may vary by season and each day of the week.
“It's difficult because there are price variations for each flight, each season, and each day of the week. There are thousands and millions of possibilities for price variations.”
"At Aeroméxico, we have different types of fares that allow for greater or lesser flexibility for the passenger," he added.
Vukov also commented that they will be analyzing market demand and then deciding whether to add other departure times. "If there is naturally stronger demand, we will consider additional options to expand this market," he explained.
“Being connected faster with our loved ones”
Claudia Velasco Osorio, consul general of Mexico for the Carolinas in Raleigh, told Enlace Latino NC his feeling of starting the second half of the year with the opening of the direct Mexico-Raleigh flight.
"It's a very happy day. Something very important for all of us, for the Mexican community, for the Latino community, is being able to connect more quickly with our loved ones." Velasco Osorio also noted that Aeroméxico's arrival in Raleigh further strengthens the economic relationship between Mexico and North Carolina.
“We're among North Carolina's top three economic partners. There are many opportunities for investment, imports, exports, and also for academic exchanges. The more united and closer we are, the easier everything becomes.”
The Aeroméxico flight from Mexico City arrives at the Raleigh-Durham/ELNC airport 
Consul General of Mexico in Raleigh, Claudia Velasco Osorio, with Michael Landguth, president of RDU/ELNC 
Iván Vukov, sales director of Aeroméxico in the United States/ELNC 
Delta Airlines Eastern Region Sales Director Charlie Schewe (R) talks with Leonardo Cruz, a passenger on the first direct Raleigh-Durham flight to Mexico City/ELNC 
Mariachis present to add color and music to the afternoon at the Raleigh-Durham/ELNC International Airport 
Yesenia Polanco (r) celebrates the inauguration of the first direct flight from Mexico City to Raleigh-Durham/ELNC 
Party, color and celebration for the inauguration of the new area/ELNC route
“Open connectivity with Mexico”
Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, highlighted to our media that this synegy between Aeroméxico and Delta opens connectivity with Mexico.
“When we looked at the first outbound flight, 100% of the inbound flights were full, and 100% of the outbound flights were full,” he noted. “This clearly demonstrates that there is a market between these two communities connected by Aeroméxico service. So we're very excited about that,” he added.
Landguth also referred to the long-term airport infrastructure program "Vision 2040."
"That means we're going to build the infrastructure to ensure we can continue supporting new routes like this one."
“What we hope will happen is that this service will work so well that the aircraft size will grow and provide more seats so we can transport more people from our region to Mexico City and also from Mexico City back to Raleigh,” he said.
“Connecting beyond Mexico City”
Charlie Schewe, director of sales for the Eastern region of Delta Airlines, highlighted the partnership with Aeroméxico to provide a great service that in this case unites residents of Raleigh-Durham to travel to Mexico.
“They can go to Mexico City or they can connect to other cities beyond their hub.”
“There are many other points within Mexico that this opens up. And most importantly, thanks to our partnership, if you fly Delta to other cities in the United States, it's just like flying Delta to Mexico, thanks to our partnership. So you get the same benefits,” he said.
Schewe expressed that expectations about the new route are very high because Raleigh-Durham is a very fast growing and beautiful area.
“There are also many investment opportunities for businesses and partnerships to connect our two communities. So we're very excited. We think it's going to be very successful.”
"We know there are 1.2 million people in the Raleigh-Durham area who have a connection to Mexico. So, there are a lot of people here who would like to go to Mexico City. It's a beautiful city with a lot to offer," he emphasized.
“A great advantage”
Yesenia Polanco, a member of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority board of directors, called the new air route a historic moment that recognizes "the need to connect this great country to our community."
“It's going to be very good economically, and it's going to attract more people from Mexico to come visit Raleigh-Durham, our entire state, and South Carolina as well.”
“This connection represents the impact we've had as a Latino community in North Carolina,” he said.
For his part, Leonardo Cruz shared with us his excitement about boarding the first direct flight from Raleigh to Mexico City.
“I've waited many years for this moment. The way we used to travel was with two flights, with stopovers. It's very tiring and you lose the whole day. This inhibited me from traveling more often.”
“I travel for work and family. Before, the flight took 7 to 10 hours or more. Now, it's 4 hours. This is a huge advantage. The trip is much more pleasant; you don't suffer, you enjoy it, and that's the biggest advantage,” he said.
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