Come February 2024, travelers can book a direct flight from Phoenix to the one of the world’s deadliest cities: Tijuana, Mexico.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport announced late last month that American Airlines will begin offering the direct flights to Tijuana.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego hailed the move as an economic boost.
“This new connection will ultimately strengthen our tourism industry, support business, and create more job opportunities for Phoenicians,” said Gallego.
🛫 Coming soon from @AmericanAir: New non-stop flights between @PHXSkyHarbor and Tijuana, Mexico! These direct flights will strengthen our tourism industry, support business, and create jobs for Phoenicians. ⁰https://t.co/l3mrgnklo5
The Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice, a Mexican organization, reported that Tijuana had the fifth-highest murder rate of 105 for every 100,000 residents in 2022 (there were nearly 2,200 homicides in one year per two million residents). Nine of the ten deadliest cities worldwide were located in Mexico.
In May, the Baja California’s State Attorney General’s Office reported over 600 murders from this January to April.
The one city to make the top-ten ranking that wasn’t located in Mexico was New Orleans, Louisiana at eighth. Baltimore, Maryland ranked 17th; Detroit, Michigan ranked 23rd; Memphis, Tennessee ranked 25th; Cleveland, Ohio ranked 27th; Milwaukee, Wisconsin ranked 39th; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ranked 46th.
Located in Tijuana is the New Generation Tijuana Cartel, or Tijuana Cartel, formerly the Arellano-Félix Organization (AFO), allied with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel: one of the two leading cartels responsible for the deadly drug epidemic in the U.S. The other is their rival, the Sinaloa Cartel.
Drug smuggling has become an issue on passenger flights; reports identified American Airlines flights among those used to traffic drugs. In May, the American Airlines mechanic was convicted for drug smuggling.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated in a report last year that cartels have internal conspirators within airlines that assist in smuggling the drugs. Ramon Santaliz, a CBP Aircraft Search Team officer, said he’s seen traffickers posing as all sorts of figures. They store the drugs anywhere imaginable: checked luggage, life vests, bathroom waste tanks, galley carts, garbage cans, toilet paper rolls, aircraft computer cabinets, pilot seats, wing spars, even first class armrests.
“It could be the caterers, cleaners, mechanics, baggage handlers, flight crew, or even the security guards. Money moves a lot of people,” said Santaliz. “The aircraft is its own contained world. [Drugs] could be anywhere on the aircraft — from the tip of the nose all the way to the tail because there are hidden spaces everywhere.”
CBP conducts its drug seizure tactics using a mix of trends and chance. Officers review flight schedules and will “randomly” select flights to search. Airlines pay fines of $1,000 an ounce for any drugs discovered during CBP searches.
Last August, the U.S. Consulate issued a “shelter in place” advisory for Americans residing in Tijuana after dozens of people were killed amid a fight between the Jalisco and Sinaloa Cartels. The advisory succeeded former Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order to finish the border wall by several hours. The violence prompted the descent of military reinforcements to the area.
In recent months, local cartels have engaged in violent public conflict over control of strip clubs, brothels, and bars within Tijuana’s Zona Norte. One confrontation earlier this month resulted in a deadly shootout, with two dead.
In addition to Tijuana, American Airlines will also offer daily flights to Guadalajara, Mexico.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Wednesday’s grounding of thousands of planes due to airlines’ massive management failures proved Arizona’s call for increasing federal oversight a prescient petition. Flights nationwide were grounded due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) computer outages.
Arizona and 29 states asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to require airlines to provide meaningful relief for flight cancellations and delays. The petition occurred a little over a week before yet another sweeping airline catastrophe that occurred last month, resulting in historic highs of major issues like flight cancellations, stranded flyers, and lost baggage.
Flights nationwide have been grounded due to FAA computer outages.
Mayor Pete doesn't know what happened or how he is going to fix it.
From supply chain issues to consistent flight cancellations, the DOT job has become too big for him.
In a letter, former Attorney General Mark Brnovich advised DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg that the proposed rulemaking to address flight cancellations and delays should be strengthened.
The DOT issued the proposed “Airline Ticket Refunds and Rule Protections” in August. The rule would make it unlawful for an airline to refuse to refund passengers for canceled or significantly modified flights. However, the attorneys general said the DOT’s allowance for a three-hour delay would enable airlines to loosen their standards at the expense of travelers.
Even at their cruising altitudes, airlines are still not above the law. That’s why I’m fighting to hold them to similar consumer protection standards as other service industries. Read more here: https://t.co/lWj7CnmJEY
The attorneys also suggested that airlines be required to advertise and sell only the flights they have adequate personnel to fly and support. Further, they suggested regular audits and fines for compliance.
We're holding airlines accountable for keeping their promises and servicing the tickets they sell. If you experience disruptions this holiday season, we're here to help. pic.twitter.com/KsuZFVO8Pt
The DOT’s proposed rule would require airlines to provide non-expiring travel vouchers or credits for those with non-refundable tickets facing a flight itinerary change after so many hours or those unable to travel due to “serious communicable disease.” The attorneys suggested that airlines be required to not only provide a full refund but offer a partial refund in the event that passengers choose to accept an airline’s alternative flight.
Too many people have been waiting far too long for airline ticket refunds.
Our focus is on getting money back in people's pockets, and today’s enforcement actions will better ensure that the traveling public gets the refunds they are owed. ⬇️ https://t.co/OYhr7P1Cbz
The attorneys general also suggested that airlines be prohibited from canceling and then upselling alternative flights to the same destinations. They further suggested that airlines be required to provide additional compensation for delays or cancellations, such as food, lodging, and transport.
Airlines must be prepared to service every ticket they sell. If your flight was delayed or canceled and it was the airline’s fault, we want you to know your rights. pic.twitter.com/G1SPOsF56N
Brnovich also advised the DOT to create a framework ensuring timely and prompt communication with attorneys general. The bipartisan coalition joining Brnovich previously petitioned the DOT in late August for the same remedy, but experienced delays and an absence of any collaboration or communication.
Congress needs to allow state AGs to hold the airline industry accountable. Passengers may encounter turbulence in the air, but they shouldn't expect it from the airlines themselves.https://t.co/pK63deIEDI
Brnovich co-led the effort signed on by the attorneys general for the District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands, as well as Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
“It’s time for them to be held to similar consumer protection standards as other service industries,” stated Brnovich.
Brnovich has led a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in advocating for more stringent rules for airlines since the pandemic began. In 2020, Brnovich urged Congress to implement greater consumer protections such as full refunds for travelers who voluntarily canceled flights due to COVID-19, elimination of delays and expirations in refunds for flight cancellations, and the ability for state attorneys general to enforce federal airline consumer protection laws. These petitions have gone unfulfilled.
If the airlines are receiving tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, Arizonans should expect top-notch service from this industry.
That's why our office is fighting to create more consumer protections for all Americans. pic.twitter.com/Hr5o0h9jFh
In 2021, Brnovich filed an antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines and JetBlue Airlines over their Northeast Alliance Agreement. Brnovich noted that past significant mergers of other airlines resulted in reduced quality of services, job losses, and higher ticket prices. The case, United States of America v. American Airlines Group, is ongoing in the Massachusetts District Court before Judge Leo Sorokin.
Our office just joined a coalition in filing an antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines & JetBlue Airlines regarding their Northeast Alliance Agreement.
Currently, passengers are entitled to receive a refund or compensation if they’re involuntarily taken off an oversold flight, moved to a lower class of service than entitled to the difference in fares, unable to use in-flight services they paid for, or subjected to lost or damaged baggage.
Airlines may, but aren’t required to, compensate passengers facing long delays.
In November, the DOT issued over $600 million in penalties to six airlines for delaying refunds for canceled flights. Most were international. Among those penalized were Frontier Airlines, Air India, TAP Portugal, Aeromexico, El Al, and Avianca.
The DOT offers travelers a portal where they may file a consumer complaint, a dashboard to report on specific carriers’ customer service, as well as a guide on traveler rights.
A delayed or cancelled flight over the holidays can be stressful, but getting a refund from an airline shouldn’t be.
Our Airline Customer Service Dashboard is giving travelers the info they need to get the service they deserve. pic.twitter.com/rZwXf2uMnu
Fresh off a trip to Atlanta for the annual conference of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the president of Aerospace Arizona Association says the UVS industry in Arizona continues to grow, as a South Korea recently opened a subsidiary in Maricopa County. A UVS is often referred to as a drone.
According to Mignonne Hollis, Aerospace Arizona promotes the aerospace industry throughout the State of Arizona. The organization informs its members on legislative, regulatory, safety and technical issues, while also educating federal, state, county, and local elected officials on the importance and necessity of policies that facilitate a thriving aerospace industry in Arizona.
Businesses and groups with Arizona ties which attended AUVSI’s conference in Atlanta included Darling Geomatics, GoTenna, HFE International, Hydronalix, and Prime Solutions Group. The Arizona Commerce Authority also had a representative in Atlanta for the AUVSI gathering.
In addition, several Aerospace Arizona representatives were in attendance, including Hollis, Lorie Grabham of American Airlines, Steve Latino with ASURE, Adam Hawkins of Global External Relations, and an official of PABLO AIR, a South Korea company which recently filed incorporation papers with the Arizona Secretary of State for a subsidiary, PABLO AIR International.
“While the conference was much smaller than it has been in previous years, we were able to make solid contacts and connections for Arizona – particularly the Benson Airport as it truly is a prime location for testing unmanned systems,” Hollis told AZ Free News.
One company that has already committed to using Benson’s municipal airport as a test site is PABLO AIR, which recently announced an MOU with three Arizona-based businesses to advance its proprietary unmanned drone delivery system platform into the United States.
The companies working with PABLO AIR are NGL Transportation, a Phoenix-based logistics company whose customers include Walmart and Amazon, as well as Delivery-EZ, a developer of unmanned home-delivery box systems also based in Phoenix. Hollis said Aerospace Arizona is the third business in the MOU, providing PABLO AIR a local test bed and institutional support, including information on FAA flight regulations.
PABLO AIR was announced as a 2021 finalist for AUVSI’s Excellence in Operations award which honors innovators who have shown a demonstrated commitment to advancing autonomy, leading and promoting safe adoption of unmanned systems, and developing programs which use UVS technologies to save lives and improve the human condition.
“We plan to demonstrate PABLO AIR’s unique technology in the global market by implementing practical commercialization along with demonstration of delivery in the United States, for the first time as a Korean drone startup,” said Kim Young-Joon, CEO of PABLO AIR.
Young-Joon added that the company has long-term goals to help resolve issues with the efficiency of various mobility vehicles, such as self-driving trucks, unmanned ground robots, and delivery drones.
Hollis said the aerospace industry is one of the largest economic sectors in Arizona. There are more than 1,200 companies engaged in the market in Arizona, which ranks the state as 5th in the U.S. for aerospace employment.
