Northwest Airlines today announced that it will offer new nonstop service from Memphis, Tenn. to Mexico City. The carrier also announced the return of seasonal flights to popular sun destinations in Florida, some of which have not been offered in more than two years.
Northwest will introduce daily service to Mexico City, its eighth nonstop international destination and 82nd nonstop Northwest and Northwest Airlink destination from Memphis overall, beginning February 13, 2003.
Northwest will resume daily seasonal nonstops from Memphis to Ft. Myers, Fla., and West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 18 and February 13, respectively. Northwest has not offered seasonal service from Memphis to Ft. Myers since March of 2000.

“New Memphis - Mexico City service is another example of Northwest’s commitment to prudently building its network, even during these challenging times for the industry,” said Jim Cron, vice president of market planning for Northwest.

With these additions, Northwest and its Northwest Airlink partners will offer 257 daily departures from its Memphis hub in March of 2003.
Suzanne Boda, Northwest’s vice president of customer service in Memphis said, “The new flights being announced today will make it possible for travelers in hundreds of markets throughout North America to take advantage of the efficiency, ease-of-use, and the many other conveniences that Northwest’s Memphis hub provides.”
The new flight represents the first nonstop commercial passenger jet service from Memphis International Airport to Mexico City, and follows the carrier’s service from Memphis to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, which began operations on October 27.
“Today’s announcement from Northwest Airlines is exciting news for Memphis travelers, businesses and our community overall,” said Willie W. Herenton, Mayor of Memphis. “Tennessee is already home to 16 Mexican companies, generating $2.5 million in investment and 2,388 jobs. This flight will foster increased trade between Memphis and Mexico City, creating economic development in Mexico and Tennessee.”
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton also conveyed his enthusiasm for the new route saying, “Northwest’s hub continues to play an integral role in the development of Memphis as one of the key domestic and international business centers in the southeast United States. Already today, Tennessee businesses export millions of dollars of locally-built vehicles, cotton and yarn fabric, electrical machinery, aluminum, plastic, and paper products to Mexico.”
The new daily service between Memphis and Mexico City will be operated with Northwest’s modern Airbus A319 aircraft. The A319 is the widest single-aisle passenger cabin in the world, and seats 16 passengers in First Class and 108 passengers in Coach Class.
Mexico City will become the eighth international nonstop destination for Northwest out of Memphis. Other year-round destinations include Amsterdam, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Northwest also offers seasonal service to Cancun, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Northwest also announced the return of two Memphis - Florida routes for the peak winter season. Seasonal daily service from Memphis to Ft. Myers, and West Palm Beach, Fla., will be operated with DC-9 aircraft, accommodating 100 passengers on each flight.
Daily nonstop flights from Memphis to Ft. Myers will begin December 18, and service from Memphis to West Palm Beach will begin February 13. The seasonal nonstops will be offered through April 5, 2003.
All of the new flights are immediately available for sale through www.nwa.com, Northwest Airlines Reservations at 1-800-225-2525, or through travel agencies.

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