Mexican airline Volaris will begin offering direct flights in March from Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Volaris will offer the Milwaukee to Guadalajara service year-round.
“This is a big deal for Mitchell Airport, Milwaukee County, and the entire region,” said Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele. “It’s a very involved process to convince an international airline to invest its resources in a new market. This is great news for the rapidly growing Hispanic populations in Milwaukee and northern Illinois. The Guadalajara nonstop will also benefit the recently-opened Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee.”
Volaris is a low-cost carrier headquartered in Mexico City, and is Mexico’s second-largest airline.
Its Milwaukee flights will operate two days per week on Airbus A320 aircraft. The nonstop flights to Guadalajara begin on March 3 and will operate every Wednesday and Friday, departing Milwaukee at 12:32 a.m. and arriving in Guadalajara at 5:02 a.m. Return flights begin March 2 and will depart Guadalajara every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:53 p.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 8:55 p.m.
Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, which is a sister state to Wisconsin. At approximately 4.2 million, the Guadalajara metropolitan area is the second-largest in Mexico.
“The new nonstop to Guadalajara will make travel to Mexico much easier and quicker for travelers from across Wisconsin, including Madison, the Fox Valley, and Green Bay,” Mitchell International airport director Izzy Bonilla added. “The ability to fly nonstop to Guadalajara will increase trade opportunities with Mexico and provide better options for families to connect with loved ones. We look forward to a long partnership with Volaris at MKE.”
Abele thanked U.S. Senators Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, for assisting with arrangements to add new international service to Mitchell International.
“I am always pleased to see more options for Wisconsinites traveling for business or pleasure,” said Johnson. “The cooperation between Mitchell International, Milwaukee County and U.S. Customs and Border Protection that enabled this development will serve Wisconsin well in any future expansions of international service from Milwaukee. Wisconsin businesses benefit from better access to customers in world markets. Customs agent staffing is crucial for providing foreign travelers with direct access to Wisconsin. I am pleased to have played a role in bringing that about.”
