Cal Jet To Operate New International Service To Mazatlan

Cal Jet Air (www.caljetair.com), a United States air service operated by XTRA Airways, announced today that will offer international service to Mazatlan, its first tourist destination in Mexico, beginning this winter season. The pilot program begins January 9, 2013, and ends April 9, 2013, with nine weekly flights of 150-passenger capacity (1,350 total seats per week) from Houston, San Antonio, Denver, Los Angeles and Oakland, California. Roundtrip fares will start at $399.

The announcement follows extensive research conducted by Mexico Tourism Board on air connectivity, airline efficiency and air capacity from major American markets, in particular, which shows that Mazatlan needs more air seats to keep up with growing demand. As a consequence, the state government invested in this strategic partnership with Cal Jet whereby increased investment in marketing will, in turn, create increased in-bound airline activity to Mazatlan.

In addition to new routes from Cal Jet, U.S. Airways will increase frequency and seat capacity from Phoenix and American Airlines will restore the direct route from Dallas to Mazatlan in November. Mazatlan will continue service and promotional activity with Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country Airlines as well.

The Mazatlan Tourism Board predicts an investment upwards of USD $10 million in tourism promotion by the end of 2012, including the additional commitment by the state government – combined the largest commitment to date – to further generate demand and expand into new target markets by way of in-flight promotional videos, web-based destination marketing and other marketing tactics for both domestic and foreign travelers.

Domestic travel is steadily on the rise with strong market demand and need for more air capacity. Recently Magnicharters, Aeromexico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus have increased the number of air seats from Mexico City, as well as from Monterrey and Tijuana, two cities which have required additional air seats for meetings and conventions at the newly renovated Mazatlan International Center.