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Hola, Mexicana Airlines
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Posted by admin Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:54:30 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Say “adios” to the long drives over the grapevine to catch a flight out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for a vacation or familia trip to Mexico.

At least that’s what local travelers are feeling, now that Bakersfield will offer a three-hour direct flight to Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico starting Friday, March 30, at the new International Terminal at Meadows Field.

Selecting Guadalajara, Jalisco as the terminal’s first international flight made sense, given that the location has proven to be the No. 1 travel spot for Latinos in Kern County, said Teresa Hitchcock, analyst and marketing manager for Kern County’s airports, which operates the International Terminal and the nearby William M. Thomas Passenger Terminal.

“After looking at the research and hearing customers’ demands, it made sense to have a direct flight from here to Guadalajara,” Hitchcock said. “Here we’re offering convenience for our travelers. It’s smaller and there’s no traffic. We’ve taken extra steps to make their travel experience (a more pleasant one). Also we’ve provided free parking for them.” 

Already, travel agencies are fielding the inquiries about the flight to be offered by Mexicana Airlines.

“People have been contacting us because of the current Mexicana Airlines promotion,” said Delia Fuentes, manager of Happy Tours travel agency in Bakersfield. “They’re extremely interested in traveling to Guadalajara. Others are excited, too, but wish there would be more dates to fly and other destinations within Mexico.”

Currently, Mexicana Airlines is booking nonstop, round-trip flights from the International Terminal at Meadows Field to Miguel Hidalgo Airport in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Fuentes said flight fares depend on the date of flight. Also, customers must take into account other fees tacked on their ticket purchase, including U.S. and airport taxes and gasoline surcharges, Fuentes said.

Passengers from Bakersfield to Guadalajara will fly in the Airbus Industrie A319 airplane, which holds approximately 124 people. Mexicana provides a free bar on its flights.

The first incoming nonstop flight, however, will arrive around 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, with passengers directly from Miguel Hidalgo Airport. As soon as the plane lands on the runway, passengers will see the freshly remodeled exterior of the building.

And the first flight from Bakersfield to Guadalajara, Jalisco will happen at March 30 at 1 a.m.

Weeks before opening day, the construction crew was finishing last-minute touches on the building. The crew glued tiles, installed light fixtures and finished the rubber trimming on baggage claim conveyor belt.

On March 14, they worked on finishing the painting and tiling outside, in the back of building. There was plenty of hammering and sawing going on before its opening.  On March 15,  construction workers finished gluing on the lettering of the words “International Terminal.”

Once inside, passengers and their family and friends will instantly notice the terminal has new dark green carpeting, new lobby chairs, mint-colored ticketing counters, and gray tiled floor.

To make the building clutter-free, airport officials rearranged the check-in/ticketing counter and boarding area.  Also, there’s a private office for the U.S. Customs and Board Protection to inspect baggage that failed the stricter rules for international flights.

Travelers will face domestic flights restrictions — including no illegal drugs, no explosive or flammable materials — as well as international ones — including no food on board, especially agricultural goods. Travelers must also have passports.
Before incoming passengers can make it into the arrivals room to meet their family and friends, they’ll have to follow procedure with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They’ll fill out the required paperwork, a passport check and grab their luggage from bag claim that has already been X-rayed.  

Frances Pinto, co-owner  of El Jacalito Restaurant in Lamont, visits Jalisco, Mexico about three times a year with her husband and children.

However, her husband, Francisco, goes more than 10 times a year to visit family.
Pinto says her mother, sister and aunt have already purchased tickets through Mexicana Airlines in Guadalajara, Jalisco to visit the Pintos on April 12.

“This will make it a much easier visit for my family. It more economical than driving two to two-and-a-half hours down to Los Angeles and then back. You save yourself the stress of driving and parking your car,” said Pinto. “I’m saving myself some time money on gas and parking. It’s really a deal for those who plan to visit Mexico.”

Hitchcock added that ticket rates will depend on supply and depend but are expected to remain near, within $15 to $20, to the ticket prices as those sold for LAX.  

Flights from Bakersfield to Guadalajara will happen three times a week for now.
During the first flight from Bakersfield to Guadalajara, Jalisco, employees at Meadow Field will visit Mexicana Airlines headquarters to learn the history and culture of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Mexicana Airlines.

The president of Mexicana Airlines will be present for the first flight and arrival to Meadows Field.

Community Relations Manager for Univision KABE Channel 39, Maria Hernandez travels to various parts of Mexico frequently with her husband, children and other relatives.

Hernandez said she plans to visit family in Jalisco, Mexico and a vacation in Cancun, Mexico before the end of 2007.

“It’s a great idea. It definitively helps those who want to travel to Mexico. It takes away the time you have to drive to Los Angeles, having to get there two to three hours before your flight departs and parking,” said Hernandez. “Doing all that, it becomes an all-day event. Having Mexicana here just makes it easier.”

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