The Calafia Airlines flight between Puerto Peñasco and Tijuana launched onto the local scene and into the skies at the end of April 2022, hitting the tarmac running and quickly meeting goals of average 70% passenger occupancy. While bringing Puerto Peñasco and Tijuana effortlessly accessible to each other via the just over 40-minute flight, an added welcome surprise has been the ease of expanding one’s wings…all the way to La Paz, without ever having to leave the plane! Indeed, the same Monday and Friday flight route of Calafia Airlines links Puerto Peñasco to Tijuana before then venturing to Loreto and La Paz in Baja California Sur, and vice versa, for a total travel time of about 4 hours!
“Last summer was a good season,” shared Fernando Antillon, General Director of the Mar de Cortez International Airport, “which confirmed for us and Calafia Airlines there is indeed a market.” This summer, Antillon notes, they once again anticipate a great season and points out there are no foreseen suspensions from now through the Fall. The real challenge, he explained, is in the winter and early Spring months, though further promotion aims to focus on sharing the wonders of the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve, sport fishing, and ecotours for any time of the year.
Another huge plus to the flight connection through Tijuana is also the convenience of the Cross Border Xpress, a pedestrian bridge linking travelers from the Tijuana International Airport to San Diego. “The great advantage,” exuded Antillon, “is that it’s so easy!” In 2022 alone, detailed the enthusiastic promoter of flights to Puerto Peñasco, the Tijuana International Airport had approximately 10 million people traveling through, with at least 3 million of these going over the Cross Border Xpress. This ease of travel links Puerto Peñasco not only readily to Tijuana, but also to southern California – not to mention other connecting flights from Tijuana and/or San Diego – and, let’s not forget …to Loreto and La Paz (without ever having to leave the plane!)
Ready for more adventure? The Calafia Airlines website is very user friendly in either Spanish or English (check language in upper right-hand corner – prices in pesos). Hop on to check flights from/to PPE (Puerto Peñasco’s call letters) – which include TIJ (Tijuana), LTO (Loreto), and LAP (La Paz). The Calafia Airlines flight departs PPE at 12:50 pm (Mondays) and 2:20 pm (Fridays), with arrivals coming in 12:25 pm (Mondays) and 1:55 pm (Fridays). That makes for an easy week-long or weekend excursion to and from our corner of the Sea of Cortez!
In addition, travelers can book flights directly by calling the Calafia Airlines call-center (011-52 from the US) 332 451 0505
Travel tips:
- Plan to be at the PPE airport minimum 1 hour ahead of flight – and preferably two, stresses local Calafia Airlines Airport Chief Jenny Eunice Romero Elizondo.
- IMPORTANT – Be on time as flights generally depart right at the scheduled hour. No exceptions – no waiting. Romero Elizondo adds, “doors close 30 minutes before indicated departure time, and unfortunately people have missed the flight in not being there early enough to board”
- ID documents within country: passport, driver’s license, ID card (for example, INE card for Mexican citizens)
- Luggage: All passengers can check one bag of up to 25 kilos (just over 50 lbs.) at no extra charge (Regular rate or 30 kilos Plus rate). IMPORTANT: Passengers allowed carry-on of up to 10 kilos (22 pounds) HOWEVER not much larger than a briefcase or backpack as overhead bins on the 50 passenger Embraer ERJ 145 are not as large as may be expected. (From a past personal experience, this meant I had to check the usual carry-on roller bag I had planned to bring in the cabin)
Safe travels!