AZTECA AIRLINES INAUGURATES NONSTOP SERVICE TO GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

- Flights continue to Mexico City -

Oakland, California -- Azteca Airlines later today inaugurates nonstop service between Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL), with continuing service to Mexico City. Azteca is Mexico's third largest airline, providing affordable fares for business and leisure travelers.

"Azteca brings new, low-fare, nonstop service to Guadalajara, one of the most popular Mexican destinations for San Francisco Bay Area travelers, and provides same plane, one-stop service to Mexico City," said Steve Grossman, director of aviation for the Port of Oakland. "Now, there's even more reason for travelers to choose Oakland International Airport for their travel needs to Mexico."

Flights from OAK operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing at 11 p.m. and arriving in GDL at 4:50 a.m., the next day. Flights depart GDL at 6:20 p.m. and arrive OAK at 8:15 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Azteca will operate from Terminal 1 using 136-seat Boeing 737-700 equipment.

OAK becomes Azteca's fourth destination in the United States, also serving El Paso, Texas; Laredo, Texas; and Ontario, California. The airline has been in operation since 2000.

Visit aazteca.com or call Azteca at 1-888-754-0066 for more information.

OAK currently has over 200 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 42 nonstop destinations, including Atlanta, Boston, the Hawaiian Islands, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Mexico City and Mexico beach cities, and seasonal service to the Azores (Portugal), Costa Rica and Sun Valley, Idaho. OAK served 14.1 million passengers and handled 672,000 metric tons of cargo in 2004. The airport is a revenue division of the Port of Oakland, an independent department of the city of Oakland.

Since breaking ground in April 2004, OAK's Terminal Improvement Program is on track for completion in 2007. This $300 million program is the Port's largest aviation project in its 78-year history and is comprised of the Terminal 2 improvement project using "green building" technology, that includes a new concourse with five additional boarding gates and waiting areas; expanded ticketing, security and baggage claim facilities; new utilities; and the Terminal Roadway and Curbside project that will improve terminal access and ease congestion in front of the terminals. Visit oaklandairport.com for more information.

-OAK-