Aeromexico announces first direct flight connecting Mexico City's newest airport to Houston

Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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A man was taken into custody by police on Jan. 25, 2024, after the Mexico City International Airport said he opened an Aeromexico plane's emergency exit door and walked out onto the wing on a Central America bound flight

Aeromexico is making it easier to fly between Mexico and the U.S. with a new route launching May 1.

Flying once daily, the new route will be the first to connect Mexico City's newest airport Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to the U.S. through a direct flight to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, according to a press release by the airline.

This route is aimed at "increasing connectivity between the two countries," the carrier said in the release.

Tickets for the new route will go on sale in the next few days on Aeromexico channels.

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From AIFA, people can take a connecting Aeromexico flight to Acapulco, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Merida, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta or Veracruz.

Previously, Mexico City International Airport (AICM) was the only option to fly in and out of.

Aeromexico was granted authorizations on the new route despite Mexico being downgraded to a Category 2 status in May 2021 due to the country not meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization's safety standards.

In a statement to USA TODAY, the Federal Aviation Administration said it is working with Mexican aviation officials and "approved carriers serving existing routes from the new airport in Mexico City but that has nothing to do with the ongoing safety assessment process." The airline said it is "working closely" with aviation authorities to recover its Category 1 status.

Do you need a passport to go to Mexico?

Yes, U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico. If they're staying for more than 180 days, they'll need to apply for a tourist visa.

Is travel to Mexico safe?

Some parts of Mexico are safer to travel to than others due to increased risk of crime and kidnapping. People are advised by the State Department to avoid travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. On the other hand, people can "exercise normal precautions" in the Campeche and Yucatan states. Those who do travel to Mexican states that are considered high-risk, they are urged to read the State Department's information on high-risk travel.

Recently, the agency issued a travel advisory for Mexico's Caribbean coast, a popular tourist destination and where many resorts are located, after medallion taxi drivers were harassing and even assaulting Uber drivers and riders. The State Department advised travelers that "past disputes between these services and local taxi unions have occasionally turned violent, resulting in injuries to U.S. citizens in some instances."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aeromexico's launches direct flight between Mexico City and Houston