The daily nonstop flight will be on a Boeing aircraft and will feature three classes of cabin seating (Port of Seattle). Aeromexico, an affiliate of Delta Air Lines, serves more than 80 cities, including 44 destinations in Mexico, 19 in the United States and 15 in Latin America and will substantially expand Greater Seattle’s international reach. Mexico City will become the 25^th nonstop international destination from Sea-Tac and the 5^th new destination to be announced since 2016 joining Munich and Cologne Germany, Shenzen, China; and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Governor Jay Inslee, who recently attended the International Leadership Mission to Mexico, said in a news release by the Port of Seattle that the “new direct flight from Mexico City into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is an important step toward maintaining our competitive edge in the growing global economy.” This year’s ILM to Mexico City and Guadalajara focused on deepening relationships and exploring new areas for collaboration and partnership with key leaders and businesses in Mexico. “Being able to move products and people across borders helps us grow our agriculture industry, collaborate on clean energy technologies of the future, and so much more,” said Governor Inslee (Port of Seattle).

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, operated by the Port of Seattle, is ranked as the 9^th busiest U.S. airport serving nearly 45.7 million passengers and more than 366,000 metric tons of cargo in 2016. Sea-Tac generates more than $16.3 billion in business revenue, creates 171,796 jobs, represents more than $2.8 billion in direct earnings and over $565 million in state and local taxes (Port of Seattle).  

“Mexico City is a Latin American gateway and a vital economic hub to our state,” said Port Commissioner John Creighton said to the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Mexico was the 11^th largest customer of Washington state merchandise exports, purchasing over $1.9 billion in goods in 2016 (International Trade Administration). In 2012, Aeromexico made Mexican aviation history after buying 100 Boeing aircraft, including 90 737 Max jets and 10 787-9 Dreamliners in an agreement worth $11 billion at list prices, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. Delivery of the Max jets will begin in 2018.