AUS’s newest airline will offer nonstop service to Monterrey, Mexico starting March 2024.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Ultra-low-cost Mexican carrier Viva Aerobus announced its arrival to Austin by launching nonstop flights to Monterrey, Mexico. Starting on March 22, 2024, this year-round service will operate four days per week. Viva Aerobus now joins Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as Central Texas’ 22nd airline and seventh international airline.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Viva Aerobus to Austin and Central Texas,” said City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “This is an exciting investment that furthers our mission to providing world-class services and experiences for locals and visitors alike, ensuring Austin is a destination that inspires and welcomes the world.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently reinstated Mexico’s aviation safety rating to the highest level and now Mexico airlines may operate under a Category 1 safety rating.
“We are excited to start flying to new cities in the US as part of our major expansion strategy in this country, encouraging passengers to take advantage of our increased connectivity, low fares and modern fleet”, said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus. “This new route not only connects two individual cities but provides Austin and Central Texas passengers with a wide range of connecting flights that link Monterrey to over 30 key destinations to discover Mexico. It also represents more opportunities for Mexican travelers to enjoy the beauty of the capital of the Lone Star State of Texas, serving leisure, VFR, and business markets; thus boosting local tourism and economy”, he added.
Founded in 2006, Viva Aerobus will land in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with options for passengers that goes beyond low fares. The carrier gives passengers the possibility to customize travel to their needs and budget; the opportunity to fly in the youngest fleet in Mexico and 4th in all North America, made up of 78 Airbus aircraft; and offers its loyalty and reward program, Doters, which makes flying easier and with more benefits.
Nonstop flights between Austin and Monterrey are scheduled to take off from Austin at 2:35 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays with return flights from Monterrey landing in Austin at 1:25 p.m. on the same days. The route will be serviced by the airline’s family of Airbus A320 aircraft, which boasts the largest single-aisle cabin in the skies, giving passengers more space, wider seats and larger overhead compartments.
“Our airport has worked with airlines over the years to connect our valued passengers to new destinations and possibilities and we’ve been eager to launch this one,” said Ghizlane Badawi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AUS. “We are excited to partner with Viva Aerobus to better serve our passengers traveling to Mexico and beyond. We are grateful to our airline partners for their investment in our community.”
As the demand for international travel grows in Central Texas, AUS has launched an improvement project for the International Arrivals facility. The project, which is currently in design, will add more baggage carousels and increase space for passenger processing to improve the experience for arriving international passengers. These improvements are part of the airport’s work to deliver near-term terminal improvement through the Journey With AUS program.
Viva Aerobus announces service to the San Francisco Bay Area at OAK
Also, Viva Aerobus announced that it will commence twice weekly Monday and Friday service between Oakland International Airport and Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, beginning July 1, 2024. Viva Aerobus will operate the new service on its Airbus A320 NEO aircraft, which seats 186 passengers and offers efficient engines and lower fuel consumption. The airline is a new entrant at OAK and this new flight will be the only nonstop service between Monterrey and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The flights will follow the schedule below:
- Depart OAK 2:10 PM – Arrive MTY 6:40 PM
- Depart MTY 9:35 AM – Arrive OAK 12:40 PM
“Oakland International Airport welcomes Viva Aerobus to our growing roster of air carriers,” says Craig Simon, Interim Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland. “The Monday and Friday flights between Oakland and Monterrey will cater to business and leisure travelers alike. OAK is proud to soon be the home of the only nonstop service between the San Francisco Bay Area and this popular, growing destination in Mexico.” Viva Aerobus, based in Mexico, is an ultra-low-cost airline that operates a fleet of 78 aircraft. They lay claim to “the youngest fleet in Latin America,” and offer service at 51 international and domestic destinations. “We are excited to start flying to new cities in the US as part of our major expansion strategy in this country, encouraging passengers to take advantage of our increased connectivity, low fares and modern fleet”, said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus. “This new route not only connects two individual cities but provides San Francisco Bay Area passengers with a wide range of connecting flights that link Monterrey to over 30 key destinations to discover Mexico. It also represents more opportunities for Mexican travelers to enjoy the beauty of The Bay, serving leisure, VFR, and business markets; thus boosting local tourism and economy”, he added.
There are significant connections between Monterrey, located in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, and the education and tech economy in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. With its university base, business orientation, and major corporate headquarters, Monterrey is home to a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Strategic business clusters in Monterrey include nanotechnology, biotechnology, aeronautics, medical services, automobiles, home appliances, IT and software, multimedia, transport and logistics, agribusiness, energy, and tourism.
Denver welcomes Viva Aerobus
Finally, Viva Aerobus announced new nonstop service between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Mexico’s Monterrey International Airport (MTY) beginning January 25, 2024.
Founded in 2006, Viva Aerobus is a Mexico-based ultra low-cost carrier that operates its primary hub in Monterrey. “New flights to Monterrey will strengthen Denver’s already deep ties to Mexico,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “Nonstop service will further enhance connections and collaboration to our neighboring country, including commerce, culture and tourism.”
Viva Aerobus is the 25th airline to serve DEN, and the only carrier to offer nonstop service to MTY; the carrier plans to operate DEN-MTY service two days per week. Viva Aerobus will land in Denver with a business model that goes beyond low fares: it gives passengers the possibility to customize travel to their needs and budget; the opportunity to fly onboard the youngest fleet in Mexico and 4th-youngest fleet in all North America, made up of 78 Airbus aircraft; and offers its loyalty and reward program, Doters, which makes flying easier and with more benefits.
“We are excited to start flying to new cities in the U.S. as part of our major expansion strategy in this country, encouraging passengers to take advantage of our increased connectivity, low fares and modern fleet,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus. “This new route not only connects two individual cities but provides Denver passengers with a wide range of connecting flights that link Monterrey to over 30 key destinations to discover Mexico. It also represents more opportunities for Mexican travelers to enjoy the beauty of the Rockies, serving leisure, VFR and business markets, thus boosting local tourism and economy,” he added.
With these new flights, DEN will offer nonstop access to a total of 29 destinations in 16 countries. This includes eight destinations in Mexico, the most destinations served in any one country. Mexico ranks as Denver’s largest international market in terms of passenger demand.
“The investment by Viva Aerobus in the Denver market supports the continued expansion of our Vision 100 goal to increase global connectivity for our passengers and community,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “These affordable flights will enhance the already strong bidirectional demand for travel between Denver and Monterrey and lead to further market growth.”
Prior to this announcement, Monterrey ranked as Denver’s largest unserved market in Mexico with nearly 15,000 annual travelers between the two cities. DEN-MTY demand in 2023 has surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 20%, and total demand for travel between Denver and Mexico has increased by 40% as compared to 2019 levels.
Monterrey is situated in northeast Mexico at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Home to more than five million people, the Monterrey region ranks as Mexico’s second-largest industrial and commercial center, behind only Mexico City.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
