Daily Non-Stop Flights Between Roswell and Phoenix to Begin Today

After months of anticipation, today American Airlines begins daily nonstop service between Roswell and Phoenix. The new service, when paired with hundreds of connecting flights accessible in Phoenix, will greatly expand the business and travel destination options for travelers from Ruidoso.

The majority of our visitors drive to and from Ruidoso, in part because those who would rather fly have limited options. Both El Paso International Airport and Albuquerque International Sunport are more than two hours from Ruidoso by car.

Roswell’s airport is a much closer 70 miles from Ruidoso, but until now the only daily commercial flights were to and from Dallas, directly to the east. The new Phoenix route gives travelers expanded options, particularly when connecting to destinations up and down the west coast.

A large percentage of Ruidoso’s tourism comes from Texas. It is projected that the new flights will open up a relatively untapped tourism market in Arizona and beyond.

“American Airlines new non-stop service between Phoenix and Roswell affords Ruidoso an opportunity to increase tourism from the Phoenix metro area,” said Gina Kelley, Director of Tourism for the Village of Ruidoso.

“We have undertaken marketing efforts in Arizona the past, but Phoenix is a very expensive market to advertise in. By working with our regional partners and the New Mexico Tourism Department to promote not only Ruidoso but all of Southeast New Mexico, we are able to affordably extend our reach into this market to bring more visitors here.”

Kelley has been in Phoenix this week, meeting with American Airlines’ staff and American Airlines’ top-producing travel agents in the Phoenix market to promote Ruidoso and our region.

A press conference and reception are scheduled today at the American Airlines terminal at Sky Harbor International Airport, in Phoenix. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and New Mexico Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez are expected to attend the event.

The new flights will depart Phoenix Monday through Sunday at 3:10pm, arriving in Roswell at 5:45pm. The return flight will depart Roswell International Air Center Monday through Sunday at 6:15pm, arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 7:05pm. All times are local, and the flight time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

—Leroy Smith