Airport says ‘bienvenidos’ to more Mexico flights

InterJet plans to offer daily nonstop flights from Orange County to Mexico City and Guadalajara starting in mid-October, the airline announced in a press release last week.

The announcement came after the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the Mexico City-based company’s lease agreement with John Wayne Airport at the board’s Sept. 11 meeting.

InterJet had a “breakout year” in 2011 and plans on expanding its flight offerings to more U.S. destinations, including Miami and San Antonio, said spokesman Martin Elder. The airline bills itself as “Mexico’s premium low-fare carrier,” in the vein of JetBlue, he said.

As of Tuesday, a round trip flight from JWA to Guadalajara in October rings up at just under $300, according to InterJet’s website.

InterJet will be the second airline to take Orange County fliers south of the border. In June, AirTran Airways began daily nonstop flights from JWA to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City .

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @jillcowan