Riviera Nayarit Secures First International Route With LAX Service

Mexican ULCC Volaris will launch the first international service from Aeropuerto Internacional de Tepic-Riviera Nayarit (TPQ), with a new route to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning July 16.

The service will operate three times per week, marking a major milestone for the Tepic airport, which has sought to establish direct international connectivity. Details of the route were announced during Routes Americas 2025, taking place in Nassau & Paradise Island, the Bahamas.

“We are delighted because this represents a breakthrough for our airport,” said Javier Garcia Bejos, director general at Aeropuertos Mexicanos, the operator of TPQ. Speaking to Aviation Week, he emphasized the strategic importance of the new route for both tourism and VFR traffic.

Riviera Nayarit, a popular vacation destination, continues to see growing international demand, and the route is expected to facilitate increased visitor arrivals. Additionally, the flights will cater to a significant number of Nayarit natives residing in California who frequently travel between the two regions.

Volaris highlighted its commitment to serving the Mexican diaspora as a key factor behind the route’s launch. “This is what we do,” said Eric Friedman, Volaris’ director of network planning and strategy. “We have grown to become the second-largest foreign airline in the U.S. by connecting the Mexican diaspora, and there’s a large community from Nayarit in Southern California. But this route isn’t just about that—it also opens up a major leisure opportunity for travelers looking to explore Riviera Nayarit.”

Volaris currently operates one domestic route from TPQ, flying to Tijuana. The planned LAX service is subject to final regulatory approvals, including clearance from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

Aviation Week Network’s aviation consultancy ASM worked to secure the new route, which included several airport and airline meetings at Routes events. “Securing Riviera Nayarit Airport's first international flight to Los Angeles is fantastic news for the city of Tepic and the state of Nayarit, providing a smooth connection from Southern California to the Riviera Nayarit coast,” said ASM Director for Air Service Development Consulting David Appleby.

“This new TPQ-LAX route highlights the dedication and strong collaboration with airlines that have made this and other services possible. ASM's Catchment Analyser tool played a crucial role in the implementation of this particular service by demonstrating the demand within a 40-mi. radius of Tepic, giving Volaris the confidence to launch this exciting new flight.”