Key Takeaways
• Volaris launches direct Tepic-Los Angeles flights July 16, 2025, with three weekly departures from TPQ to LAX.
• Roundtrip fares range from $305 to $358 USD; one-way tickets start at $146 USD depending on booking date.
• Upgraded Tepic airport enables smoother customs, benefiting tourists, Nayarit families in Los Angeles, and regional businesses.
Nayarit, a state on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is making history in its travel and tourism sector. On July 16, 2025, the very first direct international flight will leave the capital, Tepic, and arrive in Los Angeles. This move is more than just a new destination on a map—it marks an important moment for travel, families, business, and cultural connection between Nayarit and the United States 🇺🇸, especially with the city of Los Angeles. Let’s look at what this new route means, how it came to be, what it could bring in the future, and how travelers and locals alike can make the most of it.
New Nonstop Flight from Tepic to Los Angeles
Here are the key facts about the new flight that starts on July 16, 2025:
- Airline: Volaris, a well-known low-cost Mexican airline, will be the first to offer direct flights on this route.
- Route: The plane will take off from Tepic’s Riviera Nayarit International Airport (airport code: TPQ) and land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
- Schedule: There will be three direct flights each week.
- Other Airlines: For people who want more options, Aeromexico and Delta do have connecting flights between Tepic and Los Angeles. However, Volaris is the first to fly this route nonstop.
Volaris has been flying from Tepic to other cities in Mexico since 2012. For the first time, the airline—and the airport—will offer a scheduled cross-border international route. Tickets are already available on airline and travel websites, with roundtrip prices usually between $305 and $358 USD, and one-way fares starting at $146 USD depending on when and how far ahead you book.
You can check the official Volaris route and booking page for more.
Why Is This Route Important?
Boost for Tourism and Local Business
Nayarit is a popular place for tourists coming from the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries. Many come to visit the region’s famous “Riviera Nayarit,” where clear blue water meets long sandy beaches. Yet, until now, travelers from Los Angeles had to either take a connecting flight or land in faraway places like Guadalajara or Mexico City, then travel several more hours to reach their final destination in Nayarit.
By offering a nonstop route, this new flight:
- Makes it much easier and faster for American visitors—especially from southern California—to get directly to Tepic and the wider Riviera Nayarit.
- Helps local hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and activity providers by bringing more visitors who don’t need to spend as much time and money planning their trip.
- Reduces dependence on transfers and long drives from larger, busy airports.
Javier Garcia Bejos, who leads Aeropuertos Mexicanos (the company running Tepic’s airport), pointed out that the new connection offers a chance for more visits between friends and relatives as well as boosting the area’s tourism business.
Supporting the Nayarit Community in Los Angeles
Tens of thousands of people from Nayarit, or whose families come from there, now call Los Angeles and nearby cities home. Many travel between California and Nayarit to see family, attend celebrations, and keep traditions alive. Volaris’ new flight now makes these trips much more direct and affordable.
Eric Friedman from Volaris explained that the airline’s goal is about more than business. It’s about making travel between communities easier, which in turn keeps families and cultural bonds strong.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these cultural and family ties are often called “VFR traffic,” short for “visiting friends and relatives.” Routes that support these connections are in high demand and often lead to stronger economic ties as well.
Modern Airport to Welcome More Travelers
This historic flight is only possible because Tepic’s Riviera Nayarit International Airport has been updated and expanded recently. The renovations were designed with international flights in mind. These upgrades include:
- Expansion of passenger waiting areas and boarding gates
- Updated customs and immigration facilities to process international arrivals smoothly
- Better services for travelers, such as restaurants and shops
With these changes, the airport is now ready and able to handle even more flights—including from outside Mexico 🇲🇽.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
This new flight is bigger than just one direct route. It is part of a larger plan by local leaders and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure to help the western Pacific coast of Mexico connect more directly to the world.
If Volaris’ new route is successful, officials hope:
- More direct flights might start, linking Tepic and Riviera Nayarit to other key cities in North America.
- Airlines could see interest in connecting to destinations in Canada 🇨🇦, or even in Europe, given the area’s natural beauty and tourism potential.
- The region’s economy, jobs, and international reputation could grow as a result of increased travel.
This is good news not just for travelers, but for anyone involved in tourism, hospitality, trade, or cultural exchange.
Tepic: Not Just a Stopover
Tepic might not be as famous as other Mexican cities yet, but it has much to offer. The capital of Nayarit stands at the crossroads of history, culture, and nature. Travelers landing here can easily reach:
- Pacific beaches and resort towns along the Riviera Nayarit
- Local festivals, markets, and food scenes in Tepic itself
- Nature reserves and small villages showcasing Nayarit’s unique traditions
With this direct connection from Los Angeles, more travelers will have the chance to get to know Tepic as a destination, not just a stop on the way to somewhere else.
Direct Connections: Why Do They Matter?
For travelers, direct flights:
- Reduce travel time by cutting out long layovers in distant cities
- Lower the risk of missed connections or lost bags
- Make travel less tiring, especially for families with children or older adults
For cities and regions like Tepic:
- Direct routes put them “on the map” for international visitors and investors
- Make it easier to develop and promote local businesses and attractions
- Help attract more events, conferences, and cultural festivals
For families split between two places, like those with roots in both Nayarit and Los Angeles, a direct flight is more than just a convenience. It can mean the difference between being able to attend a wedding, funeral, or family reunion, and having to miss it because the trip is too difficult or expensive.
How Can Travelers Book and Plan This Trip?
There are several easy ways to book a seat on the new Tepic-Los Angeles route. Travelers can:
- Visit the official Volaris website to find current schedules and best prices
- Check popular travel websites like Expedia or Skyscanner for deals and package options
- Compare roundtrip and one-way fares to fit their timeline and budget
Prices can change based on demand and seasons, but recent data shows that flights are likely to be affordable, especially compared to the total cost of flying to larger airports and then taking ground transportation. This lower cost is important for both vacationers and for people who travel more often to visit family.
What to Expect When Arriving or Departing Tepic
Because this is the airport’s first international route, there are new customs and immigration processes in place. Travelers should plan to:
- Arrive a bit earlier than for domestic flights, to allow time for passport and visa checks
- Have all travel documents ready, especially if they are not Mexican or U.S. citizens
- Check whether they need any special paperwork, like tourist cards or return tickets
For current information on official immigration requirements for flights between Mexico and the United States 🇺🇸, see the U.S. Customs and Border Protection page.
Airport staff and airline representatives can answer basic questions and offer help if you are flying internationally for the first time, or if you need support with documentation.
Community and Business Reactions
News of the Tepic-Los Angeles flight has been welcomed by local leaders, businesses, and residents. Many in Nayarit see this as a turning point for both the capital and smaller towns across the region. Travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants are already preparing special offers and events around the flight’s launch.
Family members in Los Angeles who might have avoided visiting because of long or hard travel routes are now rethinking their plans. Community groups across southern California are looking forward to a deeper connection with their roots.
Risks and Considerations
While there is a lot of excitement, success is not guaranteed. Direct flights need to attract enough passengers to keep running. Sometimes, routes open and then close if there isn’t enough ongoing interest. However, the strong ties between Nayarit and Los Angeles, plus the popularity of the Riviera Nayarit, support hopes that the new route will be a lasting addition.
Authorities also remind travelers to book in advance during busy travel times—like school holidays or big festivals—since seats might sell out quickly.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
The launch of the Tepic-Los Angeles route is more than an aviation change. It’s a symbol of growing connection—between families, cultures, and economies. This step places Nayarit’s capital on the map in a bigger way, creating a bridge for easy travel, business growth, and the sharing of traditions old and new.
Multigenerational families, young travelers, and tourists searching for something fresh will all find new possibilities with this service. As more people take advantage of easy access between Los Angeles and Tepic, there is hope for an even brighter future for the region.
As local leaders, airline officials, and travelers themselves share this new chapter, all eyes will be on the first flight on July 16, 2025. Whether it’s for vacation, business, or to see family, this new connection promises to open many doors.
For more insights and updates on immigration, travel, and routes like this, VisaVerge.com continues to be a trusted source.
In summary, the start of direct flights from Tepic, Nayarit, to Los Angeles is a big step forward. It will bring more visitors, make family visits easier, and may lead to more direct connections in the future. The story of this route is just beginning—but already shows the strong bond between Nayarit, Tepic, and Los Angeles. If you want to know the latest or plan your own journey, keep an eye on both local airport announcements and major travel websites. This new bridge means that for many, Nayarit is now just one simple flight away.
Learn Today
Direct flight → A flight that travels from the departure city to the destination without any layovers or stops in between.
Riviera Nayarit → A famous coastal tourism region in Nayarit, Mexico, known for its beaches, resorts, and cultural attractions.
Customs and immigration facilities → Airport areas where officials check travelers’ documents and belongings when entering or leaving a country.
VFR traffic → Short for ‘visiting friends and relatives’; travel motivated by maintaining personal or family relationships.
Cross-border international route → A flight path linking airports in two different countries across a political border.
This Article in a Nutshell
History is being made as Volaris launches Tepic’s first-ever direct international flight to Los Angeles on July 16, 2025. This move will streamline travel, strengthen family and business ties, and promote tourism on both sides. Enhanced airport facilities ensure positive experiences for the increasing influx of visitors and returning residents.
— By VisaVerge.com
