vivaAerobus Starts Service of its First Two Non-stop International Flights from Austin to Monterrey and Cancun

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) May 8, 2008 -- The "ultra low cost airline" kicks-off operations from the new South Terminal at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Austin is the first US city served by the innovative Mexican low cost carrier. Services started on May 1st with full flights of passengers arriving from Monterrey and passengers departing from Austin.

View video of first day of operations for vivaAerobus in Austin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KkBT9BpPQE)

Mike Szucs, CEO of vivaAerobus said, "Finally the day has arrived, where passengers can fly on international flights for as low as $9.99. We are very pleased with our actual success on these two routes and also excited for the new South Terminal. This is the beginning of a great journey the people of Austin (and nearby cities) will experience. We will announce in a couple of weeks new routes to Mexico that will drive thousands of new passengers to and from Austin."

"Not only we are flying passengers from the Austin area. We are flying passengers from San Antonio, Houston and even Dallas, that can drive for more than 3 hours to take our flights. This is the result of truly low fares. Additional to this, many U.S. passengers are flying on our Austin - Monterrey route to self - connect to our domestic network, to places such as Villahermosa, Merida, Acapulco, Leon, Veracruz, and many other cities."

"We are often asked how it is possible to offer fares like $9.99 between Austin and Cancun or Monterrey," said Mike Szucs. "We offer a much simpler, no-frills approach using quicker turnaround times and higher utilization of our aircraft. We will drive thousands of new American tourists to beautiful Mexican cities, and we will also position Austin as a new tourist and business destination for travelers from Mexico."

The launch of direct, low cost flights from Austin to Mexico is capturing a great deal of attention south of the border. Jose Natividad Gonzalez Paras, the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon, will be among the dozens of Mexican dignitaries traveling from Monterrey and Cancun to Austin to formally dedicate the ABIA South Terminal. More than 20 members of the media from Mexico are also traveling to Austin to cover the event. In a flag raising ceremony of the three flags (US, Mexico and Texas), the vivaAerobus operation is formally inaugurated and a great link has been made with Austin and the Mexican cities.

VivaAerobus is the first airline to utilize the new facility designed for low cost airlines at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Austin AIB One LLC, a GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) company, is operating South Terminal Austin.

"South Terminal Austin is designed to give the flying public additional options to new destinations, at an efficient cost while providing a high level of service and comfort" said Marcus Balmforth, General Manager Airports, GECAS.

VivaAerobus has revolutionized the Mexican aviation industry in just over 16 months in operation. The inexpensive service has allowed people who have never flown before to travel around Mexico. With its fleet of Boeing 737-300 aircraft, vivaAerobus has flown more then 1.6 million passengers with an impeccable on-time performance.

About vivaAerobus

vivaAerobus was formed in Mexico as a strategic alliance between the Mexican bus group, IAMSA (Inversionistas en Autotransportes Mexicanos SA de CV), the Irish-backed RyanMex and other low cost aviation specialists. IAMSA is the largest passenger bus transportation operator in Mexico. RyanMex is part of the investment fund of the Irish Ryan family, founders of Ryanair, Europe's largest low cost carrier. For more information visit www.vivaaerobus.com.

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