VivaAerobus expands from AIFA with Austin and JFK routes, timed for World Cup traffic
VivaAerobus, the low-cost carrier, announced two new international routes from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to the United States, boosting air connectivity for the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. The new destinations are Austin, Texas, and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Key details:
– Austin service begins November 20 and will operate three times weekly.
– New York JFK service will be temporary, running December 12 through January 11, 2026, also at three weekly frequencies, with plans to resume in June 2026 for the FIFA World Cup.
– These routes are part of Viva’s broader expansion announced in April, which includes seven additional AIFA routes to Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Miami, and Orlando, all slated to begin in November.
Broader growth and strategy
– Viva notes that this year it added two domestic routes to Veracruz and Saltillo, with November as the start window.
– By the end of 2025, Viva预计 will operate 42 routes from AIFA, including 11 international and 31 domestic services, up from 29 in the previous year.
– Viva’s Chief Executive Officer, Juan Carlos Zuazua, underscored AIFA’s pivotal role in the airline’s U.S. expansion: these route additions arrive as anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup, with Viva aiming to connect Mexicans to multiple host cities and to accommodate the influx of international visitors.
What this means for travelers
– More options and greater flexibility for travel between central Mexico and major U.S. hubs, especially as events like the 2026 World Cup approach.
– The temporary JFK service aligns with peak international tourism expectations around the World Cup, offering additional capacity during a high-demand window.
Additional context
– The plan reinforces Viva’s strategy to use AIFA as a growth platform to expand both domestic and international routes, broadening the airline’s footprint beyond its traditional bases and tapping into increased demand from leisure travelers heading to major U.S. destinations.
Positive outlook
– The expansion could bring competitive fares and more convenient options for travelers from the Mexico City region, while also supporting tourism and business travel in the lead-up to, and during, the 2026 World Cup. The move demonstrates Viva’s ongoing push to diversify its network and strengthen cross-border connectivity in a growing travel market.