The Tribune

The Government’s aviation chief yesterday hailed Aeroméxico’s decision to launch direct non-stop service to Nassau as a “landmark airlift expansion” that will use Mexico City as a gateway to the 670 million-strong Latin American market.

Dr Kenneth Romer, the director of aviation and deputy tourism director-general, in response to Tribune Business inquiries said it had taken “years of negotiations” to create the first-ever non-stop link between Mexico and The Bahamas. Aeromexico will launch the route on March 19, 2027, with three flights per week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“The service marks the first scheduled connection between Mexico and The Bahamas, and perhaps one of the most significant expansions of The Bahamas' airlift network into Latin America to-date,” Dr Romer told this newspaper.

“This new route gives The Bahamas direct access to one of the hemisphere's most important aviation gateways and Mexico - the second-largest economy in Latin America, and one of the region's most important outbound travel markets with nominal gross domestic product (GDP) for 2025-2026 estimated at almost $2trn.

“This first scheduled non-stop service strengthens our international connectivity, improves access from Mexico and the wider region, and supports a broader tourism and aviation strategy to diversify source markets, broaden economic opportunities for Bahamians and drive sustainable long-term tourism growth.”

Dr Romer said the route will be operated by Aeroméxico’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which has a 166-seat capacity. He added that it will provide connections via Mexico City to more than 45 destinations across Mexico, Central and South America, and Asia.

“This milestone is the result of the collaborative partnership between the Nassau Airport Development Company, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas, Nassau Flight Services, the Airport Authority and other supporting tourism, aviation and inter-agency stakeholders,” he added.

Aeroméxico, in a statement, said the flights to Nassau will depart Mexico City at 9.10am and arrive at 3pm, with departure from Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) set for 4.15pm. The return flight will land at 6.30pm in Mexico. Both services are subject to government approval.

"The addition of Jamaica and the Bahamas to our Caribbean route network reflects the commitment we maintain to offering our customers more travel options to world class destinations. These new routes will give passengers direct access to an outstanding tourism, culinary and cultural offering, while strengthening our connectivity from Mexico City,” said Giancarlo Mulinelli, senior vice-president of global sales at Aeroméxico.

“We are very excited to further advance our international expansion strategy in the Caribbean. With the addition of The Bahamas to our network, we will provide corporate passengers with new opportunities to strengthen commercial ties between both nations, while also expanding our portfolio of beach destinations and offering Mexican travellers more efficient connections to world class leisure destinations,”

The Ministry of Tourism reiterates that the new route gives The Bahamas access to one of the hemisphere's most important aviation gateways, the second-largest Latin America economy and a key travel market. Travellers will no longer need to connect to The Bahamas through a third country, improving accessibility between two vitakl tourism and business markets, while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and investment.

“Aeroméxico's decision to connect Mexico City and Nassau is a landmark step in expanding The Bahamas' reach across Latin America,” said Glenys Hanna Martin, minister of tourism.

“This first scheduled non-stop service strengthens our international connectivity, improves access from Mexico and the wider region, and supports our strategy to diversify source markets, broaden economic opportunities for Bahamians, and drive sustainable long-term tourism growth throughout The Bahamas.”

The Ministry of Tourism said the new service supports The Bahamas' strategy to diversify visitor arrivals beyond its traditional source markets, while building awareness among a growing segment of Latin American travellers seeking premium sun-and-sea destinations.

It added that research indicates beach vacations remain the preferred holiday choice for Mexican travellers, aligning closely with The Bahamas' tourism offering and creating strong potential for growth across leisure travel, destination weddings, honeymoons, meetings and incentives and high-end tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism said its airlift department worked closely with Aeroméxico throughout the route evaluation and development process, supporting market analysis, stakeholder engagement and destination readiness initiatives ahead of the launch.

The effort also involved collaboration among the Ministry's airlift, sales and marketing, and communications teams, together with public and private sector tourism partners. The new service will offer connectivity between Nassau, Mexico City, other major Mexican cities such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mérida, Cancún, Querétaro and Tijuana, as well as key markets throughout Central and South America.

The Ministry of Tourism said the launch of non-stop service between Mexico City and Nassau establishes a strategic platform for continued expansion into Latin America. Mexico City International Airport, Aeroméxico's principal hub, handles more than 44 million passengers annually and offers connections to more than 100 destinations across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

It added that, by linking The Bahamas to Aeroméxico's network, the new route strengthens regional connectivity and enhances access to a market of more than 670 million people and a large, fast-growing consumer base, creating opportunities for tourism, commerce and investment that will benefit The Bahamas.