Arizonans now have new non-stop flight options to both Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico every day of the week. Southwest Airlines announced it is making Phoenix Sky Harbor airport its newest international gateway. The airline also is adding other routes here and across the country. Starting Nov. 15, travelers from Phoenix can fly multiple times daily to Palm Springs as well.

Southwest joins American Airlines in offering nonstop service from Sky Harbor to the popular Mexican destinations.

For the Phoenix region, the news is a heartening sign of hope for the tourism industry that has lost tens of thousands of jobs due to the pandemic, according to the U.S. Labor Department statistics.

Now, those numbers are creeping up as leisure travelers flee to warmer markets like Phoenix and skiers head to places like Telluride, airline officials said.

Phoenix City Council member Thelma Williams said the news has brought some positive excitement to the city. Before the pandemic, international flights brought more than $3 billion annually into the Arizona economy.

“These flights will not only provide more choices for travelers, but they will continue to boost our local economy,” said Williams, who chairs the city’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee.

Nonstop daily service to Mexico

Nonstop service now is available daily to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Here’s the daily schedule:

• The Phoenix-to-Cabo flight departs at 10:50 a.m. and arrives at 2 p.m.

• The Cabo-to-Phoenix flight departs  at 3 p.m. and arrives at 4:05 p.m.

• The Phoenix-Puerto Vallarta flight departs at 11 a.m. and arrives at 3:45 p.m.

• The Puerto Vallarta-Phoenix flight leaves at 4:40 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 p.m.

Expansion of other routes in Arizona and nationwide

Southwest also announced the addition of other flights starting across the country to sunshine and snow destinations like Miami and Telluride. To see a complete listing, visit: Southwest Airlines. As always, flights as low $39 or $49 one way will be available.

COVID-19 protections are continuing 

In order to protect passengers from COVID-19, Southwest Airlines is continuing to take precautions including:

• The middle seats will be left open until at least Nov. 30

• Passengers and employees are required to wear masks

• Scheduled stringent cleanings including the use of electrostatic and anti-microbial spray treatments in the cabin

• HEPA air filtering system

• Physical distancing including limited number of passengers onboard and modified boarding procedures.

For a complete list of protections and procedures, visit: Southwest promise from check-in to departure.

Sky Harbor COVID-19 procedures

Sky Harbor also has implemented a number of procedures to protect travelers as well. For a list of its protocols and requirements, go to: Sky Harbor COVID-19 information.

 

This story was originally published at Chamber Business News.