Mexican ambassador calls for direct flights between Mexico, Jordan

AMMAN — Launching direct flights between Jordan and Mexico is key in boosting cooperation between the two countries, the Ambassador of Mexico to Jordan, Roberto Rodriguez-Hernandez, said.

Speaking to The Jordan Times ahead of Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated annually on September 16, the ambassador added that improving cross-cultural awareness between the two nations is necessary to bolster tourism, economic and educational cooperation. 

“Launching direct flights between Mexico and Jordan would facilitate the movement of citizens and goods between both countries,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez noted that an aviation agreement between Jordan and Mexico is currently being discussed. 

“Now that Mexico is opening a new airport in the capital; new aviation routes are being discussed, including a route to Amman, Jordan,” said Hernandez.

“In 2021, Jordanian exports to Mexico stood at $7.3 million. Meanwhile, total imports from Mexico stood at $142.1 million,” Hernandez added. 

Cars top the list of imports from Mexico, while men’s shirts comprise Jordan’s most popular export to the country, Hernandez said.

“The actual trade volume between the two countries is bigger than the given numbers,” Hernandez added. 

Hernandez mentioned that Jordan and Mexico do not share a free trade agreement. However, much of the merchandise imported from the US to Jordan was originally made in Mexico. 

“Mexico exports to the USA because of the free trade agreement. In many cases, Jordan imports the same products, because there’s also a free trade agreement between Jordan and the USA,” said the Ambassador. 

 “We are currently in the final stages of signing an agreement that exempt certain products exported from Mexico to Jordan and vice versa from customs tariffs,” the ambassador added. 

Meanwhile, the ambassador stated that 12 agreements have been signed between the two countries to advance scientific and technological and research programmes as well as exchange of students and professors.

However, “there’s no export of services between the two countries,” said the ambassador. Hernandez attributed that to the unavailability of direct flights between the two countries. 

“Any Jordanian citizen holding an American visa or a Schengen visa can visit Mexico without applying to a tourist visa,” Hernandez added. 

The ambassador stated that there’s a great potential to boost cooperation between the two countries.

“We need to raise awareness of the great cultures of Jordan and Mexico,” Hernandez said.