Gateway to one of Condé Nast’s top-rated Mexican cities now a direct flight from YVR

Canadians love Mexico.

So Flair Airlines has announced direct flights from Vancouver to León, in Mexico’s Guanajuato state, beginning Oct. 3.

The new flight follows Flair’s recent additions of direct flights from Vancouver to Mexico City in 2025, and to Guadalajara in 2024.

“There’s demand for more choice,” said Len Corrado, CEO of Flair Airlines. “Beach travel remains strong, but the success of Mexico City and Guadalajara shows there’s also demand for more of Mexico. Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) gives Canadians another affordable way to explore the country.”

León is known for its stunning cathedral, local artistry and a unique hot-air balloon festival that takes place for four days every November.

“León is Mexico’s fourth most populous city and the gateway to the Bajio region, including Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende,” said Corrado, who adds this is the first Canadian commercial non-stop service to BJX. San Miguel de Allende — less than two hours from León — is a UNESCO World Heritage site and routinely rated one of the best small cities in the world, according to Condé Nast.

The León destination offers Canadians a convenient new gateway to discover the cultural, tourism and business opportunities of the Bajío region, said Jessica Paola Olivo Moreno, Director of the Guanajuato International Airport.

The flights to Leon are weekly, but Corrado says that may increase.

“We have an agile network that allows us to respond to where our customers want to fly.” Corrado said.

Mexico remains the top destination for Canadian travellers with 1.3 million visits in the first quarter of 2026, according to Statistics Canada. Canadians visit Mexico nearly three times as much as they do the Dominican Republic, followed by the third most popular destination, Costa Rica. Mexico is so popular the Canadian government projects this market to increase by 40 per cent over the next four years.

And Canada is home to a growing Mexican community, with more than 155,000 people reporting Mexican ethnic or cultural origins as reported in the 2021 Census.

Russell Atkinson, Director, Air Service Development at Vancouver International Airport, said: “As the first direct link between Canada and Mexico’s Bajío region, this service expands travel options for Western Canadians, and strengthens connections for B.C.’s Mexican community.

“It’s another example of how growing our network creates new opportunities for tourism, business and cultural exchange,” he said.

lmitges@postmedia.com