Update: Emirates is launching daily flights from Dubai to Barcelona to Mexico City as of December 9, 2019.
For several years now, Emirates has been wanting to launch flights to Mexico City. The problem is that there’s no way they could operate a Dubai to Mexico City route nonstop in both directions, given the altitude of Mexico City Airport, which greatly limits the distance planes can fly when departing there.
In early 2018 it looked like Emirates had found a way to make the route work, as Emirates announced that they intended to fly between Dubai and Mexico City as of later 2018. The plan was for the service to be operated via Barcelona in both directions, and Emirates would have pick-up rights there.
This seemed like a brilliant plan, given that:
- Barcelona is almost directly on the way between Dubai and Mexico City
- There’s demand for travel between Barcelona and Mexico City, yet no airline operates the route
So while it looked like this would happen for a long time, in September there was some bad news, as Emirates canceled plans for this route.
Why? Because Mexico wouldn’t grant Emirates slots to operate the flights on a daily basis. Rather they could only get permission to operate the flight 3x weekly, and Emirates didn’t find that to be worthwhile.
The airline said that they still hoped to operate the route at some point in the future, but realized it wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.
There’s now an update on this story. Emirates News Agency is now reporting that the UAE Ambassador to Mexico and Mexican Minister of Communication and Transport have met to discuss this flight, and that Mexico is granting Emirates the right to operate this flight on a daily basis, as the airline has wanted all along:
During the meeting, which was held in the presence of Juan Carlos Salazar, Director-General of the Mexican Civil Aeronautics; and Miguel Pelarez Lara, Director of Mexico International Airport, the Mexican side agreed to operate the direct service between the two countries for seven days within the time slots available after the maintenance and technical improvement at the Mexico City International Airport.
The Mexican Minister affirmed that country’s current government has worked hard to ensure the success of the project and will continue to cooperate with the UAE for the interests of both countries across all fields. He also thanked the UAE Ambassador and Emirates Airline for their efforts to enhance cooperation in this field.
Bottom line
While the two countries are still working out the details, it looks like Emirates will indeed be starting daily flights from Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona, which is great news.
I should note, however, that like anything involving politics, this situation could also change.
Aeromexico (which Delta has a 49% stake in) is heavily opposed to Emirates’ expansion, and is doing what they can to block the route.
Here’s to hoping this route finally happens, as it would represent Emirates’ third fifth freedom transatlantic flight (after New York to Milan and Newark to Athens).
Lucky, does Emirates EZE-GIG route count as a fifth freedom?
@Chris L - Aeromexico was going to launch the MEX -BCN route but as soon as EK was not able to launch the spot, cancelled the plan.
Aeromexico has a good new fleet, however their service both on land and in the air is terrible. Crews do not make you feel welcome and give a minimum effort service in Business. The lounge product is not good,(compared to Centurion Lounge in Mexico City or to any newly refurbished Delta Lounge); furthermore, Delta passengers can get upgrades in Aeromexico but Aeromexico passengers can not get upgrades in Delta (the blame the systems). Its good...
Aeromexico has a good new fleet, however their service both on land and in the air is terrible. Crews do not make you feel welcome and give a minimum effort service in Business. The lounge product is not good,(compared to Centurion Lounge in Mexico City or to any newly refurbished Delta Lounge); furthermore, Delta passengers can get upgrades in Aeromexico but Aeromexico passengers can not get upgrades in Delta (the blame the systems). Its good to have more good options, competition is the only way Aeromexico can get better.
you look at the Open Skies agreement and then you see airlines like this operating routes they shouldn’t I hope it never happens
What is surprising is that Iberia and Aeromexico knew of Emirates' plans for years yet didn't themselves jump on the route MEX-BCN. BCN has been a hot city for global airlines to add to their rosters. That said, you snooze, you lose. AeroMexico and Delta had a friend in ex-el presidente Enrique Nieto. He's yesterday's news. New sheriff in town. Welcome to the fast game of politics, bedfellows, money and opportunity (won or lost). Of...
What is surprising is that Iberia and Aeromexico knew of Emirates' plans for years yet didn't themselves jump on the route MEX-BCN. BCN has been a hot city for global airlines to add to their rosters. That said, you snooze, you lose. AeroMexico and Delta had a friend in ex-el presidente Enrique Nieto. He's yesterday's news. New sheriff in town. Welcome to the fast game of politics, bedfellows, money and opportunity (won or lost). Of course it's Mexico, so an envelope here and there might have helped - special delivery, of course. Just sayin'.
As a Mexico City homeboy, I have been watching this all along with great hopes. It would/will be so great to have one-stop direct flights, on decent aircraft, to the Middle East, in order take advantage of Etihad's, Qatar's, and Emirates' great routes all over the world.
Delta will be whining like a little kid that got the all the red gumballs, but someone else got a blue one.
Love to hear what Ed Bastian has to say about all of this, how puerile can a CEO get ??
Expect Delta's (or the USB3) statement in 3,2,......