Volaris and Southwest Airlines now partnering with service to Mexico - Will Volaris come to EP? (Houston: price, buses)

[TexasTiger14]

I've been following the news about Southwest's new code share agreement with Volaris, a low fare Mexican airline. I was just wondering if anyone had ever flown Volaris or if any of the El Paso locals had heard about Volaris possibly starting new service at ELP?

I've looked at Volaris' route map and EP/Juarez seems like the largest metro they don't already fly to. After reading statements made by SWA officials, it seems that Volaris would be opening new routes to cities up here in the States that already offer decent coverage from Southwest to effectuate the ability for the two to code share.

I know El Paso isn't as big a hub for Southwest as Las Vegas, Phoenix, or San Antonio, but I would think El Paso would be seriously considered since it is such a large area that is currently unserved. Anyway, it'd be nice to have the option of driving over to ELP and hoping on a cheap flight to head somewhere south....

[Muhnay]

No Tiger I have not.. sorry. The Air Port here was loosing some carriers due to the high price of fuel. SouthWest is one of the staples of our Air Port.. so I would guess they would get some also considering we are right next to the country.

But our Air Port is expanding and building onto its self. SO thats good news.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Volaris is somewhat the equivalent of Southwest Airlines in Mexico, however, it is not independent, it is the low fare airline of Mexicana Airlines, it's parent company. Southwest has fired a shot across the bow of Continental Airlines who to this day has a stranglehold on the market share for Latin America.

Though I am a loyal Platinum frequent flyer with Continental, I welcome the competition into Mexico, which is what Southwest is attempting to do. Continental has been good, but over the last few years has become arrogant of it's position into Latin America, especially Mexico. Sometimes their fares did not make sense other than to say to customers 'if you don't like it, drive'.

I expect to see price wars once service is fully operational, look for cheap fares from hub cities, we shall benefit greatly. Especially here in Houston.

[smguy101]

It's just not practical for Mexican airlines to serve ELP. Juarez's airport serves most of the major airlines in Mexico and is only about 15 miles or less from El Paso intl. That is why Aerolitoral discontinued service.
I see Volaris serving Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Tucson, Phoenix, LAX, and Juarez before they serve El Paso

[Gary Siete]

AFAIK El Paso International Airport has no international passenger flights. Adding a flight direct from Mexico would require CBP agents posted in the terminal to screen arrivals. It wouldn't be very cost effecttive for only a couple of flights per day.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by Gary Siete

AFAIK El Paso International Airport has no international passenger flights. Adding a flight direct from Mexico would require CBP agents posted in the terminal to screen arrivals. It wouldn't be very cost effecttive for only a couple of flights per day.

The El Paso Airport in fact has several international flights, you just are not aware of them, they are not advertised, and some are private jets. And there are Immigration and Customs agents at the airport; they may not be present all day, but someone is usually there, or on call, it is a requirement. Usually the FBO, or pilot will have made their flight plans known, and the airport knows when the agents need to be present.

[smguy101]

Originally Posted by Gary Siete

AFAIK El Paso International Airport has no international passenger flights. Adding a flight direct from Mexico would require CBP agents posted in the terminal to screen arrivals. It wouldn't be very cost effecttive for only a couple of flights per day.

CBP agents are at the airport 24/7, not because of commercial service, but because of private planes coming internationally, so CBP would not be a problem.
This is true in every Airport with an International title, including Las Cruces International Airport

[Gary Siete]

Are they based in the passenger terminal or are they based by the air cargo buildings ...or by the general aviation hangars along Montana?

[smguy101]

Originally Posted by Gary Siete

Are they based in the passenger terminal or are they based by the air cargo buildings ...or by the general aviation hangars along Montana?

There is a US Customs building by the NASA Hangars and another Customs station in the actual Terminal for Gates A3 and A4

[TexasTiger14]

The Volaris/Southwest agreement basically says that Volaris would be the airline expanding its service into the other country by introducing service to cities already serviced by Southwest. So if Volaris comes to the Borderland, it'll be at ELP and not Juarez.

Obviously its still probably a longshot, but it wouldn't make sense for them to introduce service to Juarez and then have to deal with buses to charter any "through" passengers over to ELP to hop on a connecting Southwest flight.