American Airlines on Thursday reintroduced daily flights from Merida to Miami, an important gateway for travelers wishing to enter the United States.
The next flight is 2:30 p.m. Friday, and a round-trip ticket cost US$490 on American’s website.
So far it is Merida’s only flight to the States. United Airlines has traditionally connected Merida with Houston, but no announcement on that route has been made.
Flights from Merida have been hard to book for about a month since Yucatan entered an economic lockdown to contain the coronavirus.
Through virtual meetings, airlines such as Volaris, Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobús, United Airlines and Aeromar have met with Michelle Fridman, head of the state tourism ministry, to bring connectivity back to the Merida International Airport.
Airlines wanted to be ready once tourism and business travel reopens during Yucatan’s gradual climb out of lockdown mode.
The Merida-Miami flight, which began today, was the first. Routes connecting Yucatan to Guadalajara, Veracruz and Tuxtla via Viva Aerobús will be next, on June 10, 15 and 16, respectively. Magnicharters’ Mexico City-Merida route begins June 15.
Cruise ships in Progreso are still on hold, although travel officials say they have maintained steady communications with Carnival and other operators.
Source: Press release
