Frontier Airlines has increased its codeshare arrangement with Volaris, a Mexican low-cost carrier. According to Aeroroutes, two low-cost airlines will launch four additional routes between the US and Mexico as part of the arrangement.
The announcement comes nearly a year after both budget airlines renewed their codeshare relationship in order to improve connectivity in the US-Mexico region.
Four code-shared routes
According to the article, Frontier and Volaris will share flight codes on the following routes:
- Los Cabos Airport (SJD) and Oakland (OAK) in California;
- Monterey International Airport (MTY) and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) in Texas;
- Monterey International Airport (MTY) and Houston (IAH) in Texas;
- Monterey International Airport (MTY) and Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida.
These codeshare flights will run until the summer of 2025, with a gradual rollout beginning on March 20, 2025. Volaris will run all four routes, although consumers will be able to purchase their tickets via the Frontier Airlines website.
Notably, no other airline provides direct service on the Los Cabos to Oakland itinerary. Volaris will be the only airline operating on the international corridor from March 20, 2025. Flights will be operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Volaris is a low-cost Mexican airline that operates across Mexico, the United States, Central and South America. Popular destinations in Mexico served by the airline include Mexico City, Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Acapulco, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana.
Volaris, like Frontier, is an Airbus-only operator. According to data from ch-aviation, the low-cost airline has 139 aircraft with an average age of 8.3 years. The fleet consists of 51 Airbus A320neos, 44 Airbus A320-200s, 33 Airbus A321neos, 10 Airbus A321-200s, and one Airbus A319 jet.
Volaris and Frontier renewed its codeshare partnership in 2023. Passengers may now travel to more than 30 more destinations in the United States at lower fares thanks to a codeshare agreement between Volaris and Frontier. Enrique Beltranena, President and CEO of Volaris, commented:
“We are thrilled that Frontier Airlines has reactivated our codeshare partnership. This relationship, which Volaris has maintained for its customers since 2018, not only enhances Frontier customers’ travel options, but also reaffirms Volaris’ dedication to improving operational efficiency and offering a diverse range of destinations between our two countries.
“We share Frontier’s dedication to providing accessible, low-cost, and welcoming air travel experiences, and look forward to the opportunities this renewed partnership brings for both our airlines and our passengers.”
US-Mexico air travel market
Tourism, business travel, and familial connections drive the US-Mexico air travel sector, making it one of the most popular international routes. Prior to being supplanted by the UK-Spain pair, the US-Mexico pair was the most popular in the aviation market. Mexico earned FAA Category 1 designation, allowing for significant expansion prospects.
The market did face a slowdown during the global COVID-19 epidemic, but it has rebounded strongly, with substantial recovery in both leisure and business travel categories.
The US-Mexico aviation industry is dynamic, with low-cost carriers accounting for 70% of all important carriers. Currently, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, along with Mexican carriers Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus, dominate the market.