Mexican low-cost airline Viva (formerly Viva Aerobús) will be the first Latin American airline to operate from the massive New Terminal One (NTO) at New York’s Kennedy International Airport (JFK), consolidating its strategic role in the connectivity between the two countries.
The Mexican airline has confirmed it will offer non-stop flights between JFK’s new terminal and two of Mexico’s largest metropolitan areas: Mexico City and Monterrey, Nuevo León.
In Mexico City, the route will operate from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), located some 35 kilometers north of the capital. In the northern city of Monterrey, it will operate from Monterrey International Airport.
With this move, Viva joins other international airlines with confirmed operations from the brand-new terminal, including Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air China and Ethiopian Airlines, among others.
Currently, Viva operates non-stop flights between JFK’s current Terminal 1 and Mexico City International Airport, Monterrey, Guadalajara and AIFA. So far, the flights planned for the NTO only include AIFA and Monterrey.
CEO of Viva Juan Carlos Zuazua celebrated the new partnership, as it will offer Viva’s low fares and passenger-centric service to more travelers.
“Our alliance reflects a shared commitment to customer service and efficiency,” Zauza said.
Operating from NTO gives Viva access to a terminal with better infrastructure and operational reliability, which can translate into fewer delays and a better passenger experience. Furthermore, it positions the Mexican carrier as a gateway to Latin America from JFK.
Encompassing 2.6 million square feet of passenger check-in zones, security checkpoints, baggage-claim areas, restaurants, duty-free shops, and boarding gates, NTO will sit at the existing site of JFK’s current Terminal 1 and the demolished Terminals 2 and 3. The project will be inaugurated in phases starting this year and will be the largest terminal at JFK once completed in 2030.
