ROSE HALL, St James — Efforts to launch direct flights between Jamaica and Mexico are still inching along after more than a decade of talks, and local tourism stakeholders say they do not expect any significant movement before late 2027.

“We have in recent times engaged and have had meetings with Aeromexico around flights from Mexico City, serving more specifically the areas of Monterey and some of the surrounding areas in that region. Those discussions are, I would say, maybe 50 per cent of the way [completed]. I don’t expect that, if we are successful in opening that gateway, it will be before the winter of 2027,” Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Director of Tourism Donovan White said Tuesday.

He was responding to a question raised by a representative from Mexico City during a media breakfast staged as part of Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2025 at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort in St James. The question was asked within the context that there are flights between Mexico and some Caribbean islands, but not Jamaica.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said talks have been ongoing for some time now, which is in line with previous media reports that indicate the issue was being explored as far back as 2009.

“I know that we have been talking for such a long time about getting direct connectivity from Mexico City. I have gone myself and have [had] discussions with Mexicana [de Aviación] and others,” stated Bartlett.

Of note, Sangster International Airport in St James and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston are being operated under concession by an entity that is majority owned by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) — a Mexican enterprise.

Bartlett is hoping this will help speed up the process of air connectivity between Mexico and Jamaica.

On Monday Alex Pace, CEO of Global Marketing & Sales and JTB regional representative, told a JAPEX session Jamaica is currently experiencing a significant surge in visitor arrivals, expanded airlift, and stronger trade partnerships from Latin America.

The tourism expert also revealed that despite Mexico being at fifth place in contributing year-on-year total stopover arrivals by country between January and June, there is room for further growth.

Pace projects a 43.8 per cent increase in airline seat capacity by 2026, with a focus on unlocking major opportunities in Brazil and Mexico.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett engages with the audience, Tuesday, during the JAPEX 2025 media breakfast held at Montego Bay’s Jewel Grande. (Photo: Philp Lemonte)