Is Vancouver airport getting a new direct flight route to Tijuana in Mexico? | Daily Hive

Is Vancouver International Airport getting a new direct flight route to Tijuana in Mexico?

Sherry V Smith/Shutterstock

A recent announcement by the Government of Baja California has sparked speculation that a brand-new direct, non-stop flight route reaching the major tourist hub of Tijuana could be coming to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Earlier this month, officials with the Mexican state proclaimed a “letter of intent” had been signed with WestJet for a non-stop, direct flight between YVR and Tijuana International Airport (TIJ).

Tijuana is one of the world’s most-visited border cities, a key gateway between Mexico and the United States.

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While its Mexico-U.S. border area is best known for its busy road crossings, the airport is also uniquely positioned right on the border and serves both Mexican and American passengers, with a U.S. customs facility on the San Diego side of the border directly connected to the airport terminal building by a 390-ft-long, enclosed pedestrian bridge above the border’s secure buffer area and fencing.

A new direct, non-stop route to Vancouver would mark a new addition to YVR’s already extensive Mexico route options, as well as a new additional way to reach San Diego, which requires an added ticket cost to use the Cross Border Xpress bridge customs facility.

tijuana international airport tij cross border xpress us customs san diego

Tijuana International Airport (top) and the Cross Border Xpress customs facility in San Diego (bottom), with a pedestrian bridge above the Mexico-U.S. border connecting both facilities. (Cross Border Xpress)

However, when contacted for clarification, WestJet told Daily Hive Urbanized: “WestJet made no announcements regarding service between Vancouver and Tijuana.”

The airline did not elaborate further on whether discussions are ongoing or whether the reported letter of intent represents preliminary conversations rather than a finalized route commitment.

It is also unclear whether such a route would be seasonal or year-round.

Vancouver Airport Authority also said it is not aware of any confirmed plans for the TIJ route.

“YVR is not aware of any new, direct flight being planned or announced between Vancouver and Tijuana at this time. However, Mexico is an important market for YVR seeing strong, growing demand with recently announced new and expanded service,” Vancouver Airport Authority told Daily Hive Urbanized upon inquiry.

The airport authority also shared that during peak seasons, YVR seeks up to 126 weekly flights to eight Mexican destinations served by four airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, Aeromexico, and Flair Airlines.

Direct Mexico routes from YVR include Cancun, Guadalajara, Huatulco, Mexico City, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, San Jose del Cabo, and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. No airline flies directly to Tijuana.

westjet puerto vallarta international airport

WestJet aircraft at Puerto Vallarta International Airport. (Elena Berd/Shutterstock)

Over the years, Mexico has been one of YVR’s strongest sun and leisure markets, particularly during the winter peak season when demand for warm-weather destinations surges. The airport has seen steady growth in capacity to popular beach and major city destinations across the country.

YVR Airport new flights 2024-2026

March 13, 2024: Tokyo, Japan (Narita; NRT) — Zipair, 5x weekly
April 3, 2024: Singapore (SIN) — Air Canada, 4x weekly
April 11, 2024: Montreal, Quebec (YUL) — Porter Airlines, daily
April 28, 2024: Detroit, Michigan (DTW) — WestJet, daily (seasonal)
June 5, 2024: Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) — American Airlines, daily (seasonal)
Jan. 18, 2025: Hong Kong (HKG) — Hong Kong Airlines, 2x weekly
April 2, 2025: Manila, Philippines (MNL) — Air Canada, 4x weekly
May 1, 2025: Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) — Air Canada, 4x weekly (seasonal)
June 3, 2025: Tampa, Florida (TPA) — Air Canada, 2x weekly
June 4, 2025: Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) — Air Canada, 3x weekly (seasonal)
May 11, 2025: Austin, Texas (AUS) — WestJet, 3x weekly (seasonal)
July 1, 2025: Halifax, Nova Scotia (YHZ) — WestJet, 4x weekly (seasonal)
Oct. 27, 2025: Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) — Flair Airlines, 3x weekly
Dec. 12, 2025: Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) — WestJet, daily (seasonal)
Feb. 2, 2026: Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) — Porter Airlines, daily (seasonal)
Dec. 17, 2026: Sapporo, Japan (CTS) — Air Canada, 3x weekly (seasonal)

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