Southwest seeks U.S. approval for new daily L.A.-Cancun flights

Southwest Airlines will be filing an application with the US Department of Transportation to offer new daily flights to Cancun, the company announced.

The daily flights will operate year-round between Los Angeles and Cancun.

“We’re ready to go and if we get the authority by the end of June, we’ll immediately begin selling the flights and operate them commencing in November,” Kelly said at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held this week in Chicago. “The Southwest Effect is taking hold in international markets where we already serve, and we expect these popular leisure markets will resonate with our loyal California Customers.”

Southwest is also planning to add daily flights from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

Southwest has been rapidly expanding its service to the Caribbean region in the last year.

“We carry more people both to-and-from California every day — as well within the Golden State — than anyone else with a value that no one else can even approach,” said Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s Senior Vice President of Network and Revenue.

Meanwhile, if you’re headed to Cancun, “There’s an app for that.”

Launched earlier this year by the Cancun Convention & Visitors’ Bureau and tech company Smart Group, the mobile app (which has already been downloaded 40,000 times) includes several handy features for visitors to Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Isla Mujeres and the island of Holbox. Users will find local news and weather; destination videos and live webcam feeds; coupons for local businesses; a currency converter; local tips and recommendations; and an event calendar.

“The application puts everything visitors need at their fingertips so they can have more time to relax and enjoy new and exciting places in this wonderful destination,” said Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the Cancun CVB.

To download the app, search for “Smart Map Cancun” in either Google Play or the Apple Store.

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