The last flights were operated by Frontier Airlines and Aeromexico, which were both, subsidized by the state. A certain number of seats were paid for by the Department of Transportation to keep the route economically viable. Both airlines pulled out their international service by 2011.

At today’s celebration, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said this flight will have a major impact on how tech companies are able to do cross-border business. An example is Dr. Juan Manuel Arellano who heads up a joint Medical venture with a company in Albuquerque.

Arellano said a typical trip from Guadalajara to Albuquerque used to take him ten hours. Today’s flight was less than three.

For someone who just wants to get away for fun, Guadalajara is central to the western beaches of Puerto Vallarta and the harvesting fields of Tequila, Mexico.

Volaris offers non-stop flights to and from Guadalajara. A round-trip ticket from Albuquerque to Guadalajara starts under $300.

Flights are available every Saturday and Monday.

Click here to look at flight times and prices.