Canaco Forecasts US$573K Monthly Surplus From New AIFA Route

The Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (CANACO) of Chihuahua projects that the newly established flight route connecting the state capital to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) could generate a monthly economic surplus of approximately MX$10 million (US$573,792).

However, local business leaders emphasize that realizing this economic injection depends directly on the new state-run service maintaining high passenger occupancy levels.

Alejandro Lazzarotto, president, Canaco Chihuahua, detailed the commercial expectations for the regional economy, framing the route as a critical asset for the area's business landscape.

“We expect to have a monthly economic impact of around MX$10 million. We hope that the flights fill up," Lazzarotto stated.

According to Lazzarotto, the connection is designed to optimize mobility for corporate and leisure travelers, strengthening the economic links between central Mexico and the highly industrialized northern border region.

Industrial Impact and Aircraft Logistics

Beyond the direct tourism and corporate travel spend, the new service highlights Chihuahua's expanding role within the international aerospace supply chain. The route is serviced by a new-generation Embraer 195 E2 aircraft with a total capacity of 132 passengers.

Local officials confirmed that the internal components of the aircraft were manufactured entirely by the local aerospace workforce in Chihuahua.

"It is doubly motivating that we have an airline with new planes and that part of those planes is manufactured here in Chihuahua," Lazzarotto noted.

Edibray Gómez, the Secretary of Tourism for the State of Chihuahua, corroborated the industrial significance of the fleet choice during local opening events. "The entire interior of this airplane is made by Chihuahuan talent," Gómez Gallegos said.

Inaugural Flight and Network Details

The route officially commenced operations on Monday, July 13, when the inaugural flight from AIFA landed at the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport in Chihuahua. The arrival marked the 17th operational domestic route for Mexicana de Aviación, the state-owned carrier managed by the Mexican Ministry of Defense.

The corporate connection was established following several months of technical negotiations, bilateral agreements, and logistical scheduling involving the carrier, the Chihuahua state government, airport administrators, and private sector tourism boards.

The service operates five days a week, following a set schedule:

• Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
• AIFA to Chihuahua: Scheduled departure at 16:10 hours.
• Chihuahua to AIFA: Scheduled return departure at 18:45 hours.

To incentivize initial corporate and consumer adoption, the airline offers introductory round-trip fares starting at MX$1,149 (US$65.9). The airline confirmed that these promotional rates can be locked in up to one year in advance through digital applications, telephone booking, or at the physical sales desks located inside AIFA.

Regional Integration Strategy

During a launch ceremony held at the central hub, General Leobardo Ávila, Director General, Mexicana de Aviación, stated that the northern expansion is part of a broader network strategy to integrate secondary manufacturing hubs with the capital region.

“The opening of this new route represents much more than a flight; it symbolizes the creation of a permanent bridge of opportunities between the center and the north of the country. It is a connection that will strengthen tourism, commerce, investment, and social exchange," Ávila said.

Ávila added that the direct connection links Chihuahua directly into Mexicana's broader distribution network at AIFA, which he noted would act as a logistical multiplier for multiple productive industries. "A connected Mexico is a prosperous Mexico," he stated.

The initial reception of the route drew attendance from several regional administrative and industrial headers, including Hugo Hernández, administrator of the Chihuahua airport; Elizabeth Quintanar, Secretary of Tourism for the state of Hidalgo; and René Chavira, alternate mayor of Chihuahua. Delegations from the National Chamber of the Industry of Transformation (Canacintra) and the manufacturing export association Index were also present.

Local authorities and business chambers concluded that the long-term feasibility of the route, as well as any future additions to flight frequencies or new northern destinations, will remain strictly dependent on the market's response and seat-utilization metrics over the coming quarters.