New Air Routes to Open in Jalisco Ahead of the 2026 World Cup: What Are the Routes?

as a logistics, tourism, and economic benchmark leading up to the 2026 World Cup.

Jalisco Accelerates Air Connectivity Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The route expansion is not an isolated initiative. Concurrently, Volaris and Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) signed a letter of intent to develop the first phase of a new aeronautical maintenance base in the vicinity of Guadalajara International Airport. The project includes: -A 150,000 square meter plot of land -An estimated initial investment of 18 million dollars -Construction of a 40,000 square meter platform for in-transit aircraft maintenance This infrastructure will enable the airport to manage its growing air operations and bolster its technical capacity, solidifying its status as one of the country’s most dynamic airports. Simultaneously, the Government of Jalisco, in coordination with the University of Guadalajara, is promoting the establishment of Mexico’s first aeronautical university, slated for development near the airport with public co-investment and support from the municipality of Tlajomulco, which is evaluating the donation of a strategic plot of land.

What Are the New Air Routes Opening in Jalisco?

The expansion announced by Volaris translates into a more robust network of both domestic and international destinations, designed to meet the tourism, business, and sports demand that the World Cup will generate.

New Routes from Guadalajara

From Guadalajara International Airport, Volaris will launch direct connections to: -Querétaro -Reynosa -San Luis Potosí -Saltillo -Zacatecas -Detroit, United States -Salt Lake City, United States Additionally, the governor confirmed an extra Guadalajara–Medellín route, specifically designed to serve the Colombian national team, which will be based in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area during the World Cup. “We already have direct Guadalajara–Bogotá connectivity, but during the World Cup, we will add a direct Guadalajara–Medellín flight,” explained Lemus Navarro.

New Routes from Puerto Vallarta

From Puerto Vallarta, the airline will launch flights to: -Aguascalientes -Puebla -San Luis Potosí With these additions, Volaris will serve 60 connected destinations from Guadalajara and 12 from Puerto Vallarta, strengthening its leadership in both airports.

Volaris’ Strategic Impact on Jalisco’s Connectivity

During the presentation, Volaris’ Executive President and CEO, Enrique Beltranena, highlighted that the airline has solidified its position as a key player in the state’s air mobility. In 2025 alone, Volaris transported 10.8 million passengers at Guadalajara Airport, accounting for approximately 57% of the terminal’s total operations. According to GAP projections, Guadalajara could reach 20 million passengers in 2026, with Volaris contributing over half. 20 years after commencing operations at the Guadalajara terminal, the airline now boasts: -62 active routes -56 destinations -Nearly 100 daily takeoffs Since its arrival in 2006, Volaris has expanded from 14 to 23 domestic destinations, with a direct presence in 75% of the federal entities.

Promotional Fares for New Air Routes in Jalisco

As part of the launch of the new routes, Volaris announced promotional fares designed to stimulate demand from the initial phase of operation: -From 29 pesos for a one-way flight on national routes -From 84 dollars on international routes These fares will be available for travel from June 1 to October 31, with a purchase deadline of March 9. Additionally, the airline secured a preferential Airport Use Fee (TUA) of 250 pesos, which will initially apply to short-haul routes such as: -San Luis Potosí -Querétaro -Zacatecas The objective is to facilitate the adoption of the new connections and strengthen regional traffic.

Air Connectivity, Tourism, and Economic Legacy: 2026 World Cup

In the context of the 2026 World Cup, Volaris emphasized that air connectivity will be crucial for the mobility of fans, national teams, and operational staff. From Guadalajara, the airline directly connects with the other two Mexican host cities: Mexico City and Monterrey; and will link seven of the 11 host cities in the United States. Furthermore, Volaris is the sole operator on key routes such as: -Seattle -Miami -New York -Medellín Ahead of the tournament, the company estimates that in June 2026 alone, it could transport an additional 200,000 passengers to and from Jalisco, compared to 2025.

You might also be interested in:

The post