Alaska Airlines plans to double its capacity between Los Angeles and Mexico City this October.
The Seattle-based carrier began operating the route in 2005, with two daily flights. The second flight was later eliminated in 2007.
But the carrier will begin a second daily flight on 4 October, operating as a red eye departure from Los Angeles, and returning the next morning. Both of Alaska's flights on the route will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
When asked about the reasoning for the additional frequency, an Alaska spokeswoman explains improving demand thanks to the end of the swine flu crisis in Mexico and better economic conditions.
Data from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) shows that in February - the latest month for which data is currently available - Alaska's traffic on the route was up 22.6% year-over-year on flat capacity, resulting in a 16.2 point increase in load factor, to 86.8%.
But the Alaska spokeswoman also says that the current financial condition of Mexicana also helps create an opportunity for the airline. Mexicana sought formal creditor protection on 3 August.
Current schedules indicate that Mexicana is operating flights between the two cities 35 times per week, reducing to 30 in September, a decrease from the 38 frequencies operated in July.
United Airlines and AeroMexico also fly from Los Angeles to Mexico City.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
