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During a special event held at the Mexican Cultural Institute in D.C., Ambassador Sarukhan joined Mexicana Airlines Senior Vice President Customer Service and Corporate Communications, Adolfo Crespo, for the official announcement of this new route. The first flight departed yesterday from Cancun at 6:20 pm and will be returning today from Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 9:35 am.

“This new non-stop route is a culmination of successful efforts joined together by all parties to increase business relationships among Mexico and the U.S. Cancun is among the most favored destinations for Americans and this new route adds ease and convenience to one of Mexico’s most beautiful places to visit” said Ambassador Sarukhan.

The launch of this new flight in Washington, D.C., is part of Grupo Mexicana’s strategic expansion which last November, joined oneworld Alliance, the world’s leading quality airline alliances. The inauguration of this new service will bring the number of domestic and international routes operated out of Cancun up to a total of 15, elevating this terminal to the category of hub. “This is the result of yet another initiative by Mexicana to offer our customers the best travel options and will enable us to post substantial growth in the number of passengers we fly in and out of the Cancun airport. This route is designed to offer users important benefits, while furthering our internationalization strategy” said Adolfo Crespo Mexicana Airlines Senior Vice President Customer Service and Corporate Communications.

As the first Mexican airline to operate out of the Dulles airport, Mexicana has solid reasons for choosing this terminal, namely industry data that points to a 12%-plus increase in passenger volumes between Washington, D. C. and Cancun since 2005, with at least 60% of passengers flying from Washington D.C. to destinations in Mexico preferring Dulles. Business passengers flying in from Washington will also find that these new flights are conveniently scheduled to coincide with connections to Mexico City, allowing them to make the most of their time in Mexico.

In 2008, Cancun’s International Airport received 41% of the Americans that traveled to Mexico by plane. Because of its strength in numbers, a total amount of $67 million dollars has been invested this year to add an additional runway, an entirely new control tower and taxiway bridge. The airport’s capacity will increase to such an extent that it will eventually be fit to welcome about 28 million passengers per year.

During 2010, Mexicana Airlines together with the Mexico Tourism Board and the State of Quintana Roo will carry out varied promotional programs to help kick start travel to Mexico from Washington, D.C. targeting industry partners within the leisure and meetings segment