Frontier Airlines began direct round-trip flights between Albuquerque and the Mexican coastal resort of Puerto Vallarta on Dec. 15.

The airline said in August it would launch the new route — the first direct flights between New Mexico and Mexico in years.

Flights leave three times per week — on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays — from the Albuquerque International Sunport to Puerto Vallarta’s Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport. They return on the same days.

Frontier kicked off the service with a live Mariachi band and Mexican delicacies at the gate, courtesy of the city of Albuquerque. Mayor Martin Chávez was on hand to greet passengers.

“It’s a tremendous step forward for the city,” Chávez said in a news release. “It makes Albuquerque International Sunport truly international once again for all of New Mexico.”

Pat Zachwieja, Frontier vice president of marketing and planning, said the new route makes one of Mexico’s premier beach resorts more accessible to New Mexico tourists. [bizjournals.com]