Emirates establishes Mexican beachhead with expanded Interjet deal

Emirates has kicked off its Dubai-Barcelona-Mexico City service with an enhanced interline agreement with rising Mexican star Interjet Airlines that it plans to expand. This is the first time the Dubai-based giant has served Mexico and the new daily route launched December 9 despite a legal battle about the validity of an agreement between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates allowing the fifth freedom flight from Barcelona. The long-running saga saw Aeromexico, part-owned by Emirates combatant Delta Air Lines, celebrating after a local judge ruled against the flights. Read: Jetstar launches first low-cost Australia-Korea link. However, the celebration was short-lived after the Mexican government moved to grant a permit for the Gulf carrier’s flights. Emirates is using a Boeing 777-200LR with 38 business seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 seats in economy class to service the route. The airline says the new Interjet agreement allows its passengers to seamlessly connect via Mexico City to Interjet flights to Leon/Guanajuato, Culiacan, Cancun, Chihuahua, Guadalajara,  Merida, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta, Tampico, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Tijuana and Villahermosa. Interjet customers also have access to its global network to destinations in the Middle East, Spain, South East Asia, the Far East and North Africa. “We’re pleased to establish a partnership with Interjet Airlines, allowing Emirates passengers to benefit from increased choice, flexibility and ease of connection to different cities within Mexico and to regional international points beyond,’’ said Emirates chief commercial officer Adnan Kazim. “This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to Mexico for the long run, as we continue to look at ways to build our operations in the market to best serve our customers. “While the interline agreement is only the start of our collaboration, we’re looking forward to (exploring) more mutual opportunities and a wider scope of partnership in the near future.” Emirates has had a partnership with Interject since April when a one-way interline agreement allowed passengers from the Dubai carrier's 12 US gateways to travel to Mexico City on Interjet flights. “This enhanced agreement provides travelers from both airlines access to a broader network not only with more flight choices but for Emirates customers, access to more of Mexico with our many domestic connections from Mexico City,’’ said Interjet chief commercial officer Julio Gamero. “When you combine this with seamless reservations, one-stop check-in with baggage checked to the final destination, more legroom between seats and Interjet’s outstanding onboard service, it's easy to see why this agreement is a win-win for both airlines.” Mexico-city based Interjet carries about 14 million passengers annually domestic and international routes. Internationally, it serves the US, Canada, Central America and South America.