Calafia Airlines recently announced non-stop flight service from Tijuana (TIJ) to Puerto Peñasco (PPE) that is scheduled to begin this month on April 29th, and is expected to open the doors to our, “sleepy little fishing village” to the bustle of national and international passengers originating from the west coast and giving a boost to an already booming tourist and real estate market.
Sonoran Governor Alfonso Durazno, leaders in the local municipal administration, Calafia Airlines executives, tourism officials and private investors came together and formulated a plan that will finally see commercial flights operate in the newly renovated Sea of Cortes International Airport ending a 6-year hiatus of no flights.
Calafia Airlines will take off from the Mar de Cortes airport bound for Tijuana twice a week: Mondays at 11:15 a.m. and Fridays at 1:20 p.m., and from Tijuana to Peñasco on Mondays at 10:15 a.m. and Fridays at 11:45 a.m. flying on an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft, with a capacity of 50 passengers.
A bonus for residents flying out of Puerto Peñasco is the newfound ability to connect with hundreds of flights leaving from Tijuana to other destinations within Mexico, the U.S. and around the world. For example, from Tijuana it will be possible to connect to Loreto (LTO) and La Paz (LAP) in Baja California Sur. Local residents will be able to hop on connecting flights to the many destinations offered at Tijuana International Airport.
The round-trip flight to and from Tijuana to Puerto Peñasco will cost approximately 3,500 pesos or $175 USD, which includes transfer from Puerto Peñasco to the airport, as well as luggage allowance of up to 25 kilos per person.
According to the Puerto Peñasco Convention and Visitors Bureau, OCV, to attract visitors from northwestern Mexico and the United States, which represents one of the strongest economies in the world, alliances have been made with tour operators and hotel companies to promote special packages for travel by air to this corner of the Sea of Cortez. Special pre-sale flight packages are available for hotel companies, and there are discounts from 10% to 20% for children under 12 and adults over 65.
The OCV said that the activation of this aerial connectivity will shorten distances for new tourism opportunities and open business markets wishing to take advantage of reduced travel times. This in turn will translate into longer stays in this port, which offers the cleanest and warmest beaches in northwestern Mexico, the desert and its dunes, the Pinacate Reserve, significant hotel infrastructure, great cuisine, quality service, and many places to explore. This is a win/win for the city and will help to expand our tourism industry and real estate economy.
About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and engineered renovations and a real estate agent with RE/MAX Legacy specializing in the sale of new home developments. He resides here in Puerto Peñasco with his wife and three children and is originally from Chicago. For more information email him at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com.
