After years of zero direct flights to Mexico, Albuquerque appears on the verge of having a second option in just five months for direct south of the border flights. Gov. Bill Richardson announced Wednesday from Chihuahua that AeroMexico will start flying daily out of Albuquerque to that Mexican city.

In December, Frontier became the sole carrier offering passengers direct flights from New Mexico to the southern nation, in this case, to the Pacific coast city of Puerto Vallarta. All other airlines route through Denver, Dallas, Houston or Phoenix before heading to destinations in Mexico.

“Creating direct flights between New Mexico and Mexico has always been a priority of mine,” Richardson said in a press release. “These flights between Albuquerque and Chihuahua are going to be a big boost for our tourism industry and will create many new possibilities to expand other areas of our economy.”

Richardson also commended Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and Chihuahua City Mayor Carlos Borruel Baquera for their efforts in helping to reach the airline agreement.

AeroMexico, the leading commercial airline for domestic flights in Mexico, plans to fly daily between the two cities, the release said, although it gave no date as to when the flights will start. The release said the flights will serve as gateway flights to other Mexican destinations and timed to service connecting flights in Albuquerque and Chihuahua City.