Search & book flights with Calafia Airlines

Calafia Airlines stopped flying due to a combination of financial pressure, safety issues and regulatory setbacks:

• Dec 2019 - A fatal crash involving a Cessna 208B led to investigations and operational reviews.
• Aug 2022 - Government fines and contract suspensions were issued following safety concerns.
• Post-COVID recovery stalled - By mid-2023, the airline was operating at just 34.5% of pre-pandemic passenger numbers.
• Fleet shrinkage - From six aircraft at its peak to just one ERJ-145 by 2023.
• Aug 2023 - Operations suspended with little notice due to pending regulatory procedures.
• Jan 2025 - Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport officially revoked Calafia’s permits.

These issues made it impossible for Calafia to continue serving its regional routes.

Baja California destinations 📍

Calafia Airlines was best known for connecting remote parts of the Baja California Peninsula, making travel easier for both locals and tourists:

• Los Cabos - Main hub with regular flights across the region
• La Paz - Key focus city with strong local demand
• Loreto - Popular with adventure travellers and seasonal tourists
• Guerrero Negro and San Ignacio Lagoon - Seasonal whale watching routes
• Cabo Pulmo National Park and Cedros Island - Niche eco-tourism destinations

Mainland Mexico destinations 📍

The airline also connected major cities across Mexico:

• Tijuana and Mexicali - Important border and business routes
• Chihuahua and Hermosillo - Northern Mexico access
• Guadalajara, León and Monterrey - Part of its mid-2010s expansion
• Puebla, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque and Cancún - Operated as part of an ambitious cross-country route launched in 2017 (discontinued by 2023)

Finding the right replacement for Calafia's regional services doesn't have to be complicated. Here are your best alternatives:

TAR Aerolíneas ✈️

The closest match to Calafia's original service model. This regional specialist operates Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft to 34 domestic destinations, including several Peninsula routes that Calafia once served. They understand regional connectivity and maintain competitive pricing for domestic travel.

Aeroméxico ✈️

Mexico's flag carrier fills the gap for longer routes that Calafia once attempted. Strong network coverage across Mexico with connections to Los Cabos, La Paz, and other Peninsula destinations. More expensive but reliable for cross-country travel.

Aerus ✈️

The newest option, launched from Monterrey with modern Embraer regional jets. Fresh approach to regional flying with competitive fares, though their network is still growing.

Aéreo Servicio Guerrero ✈️

Another regional specialist worth considering for charter and scheduled services in western Mexico. Smaller operation but covers some routes that larger carriers skip.

Señor Air ✈️

Covers niche destinations and charter services similar to Calafia's original tourism focus. Good for specialty travel and hard-to-reach locations.

Explore flights with 600+ airlines ✨

Alternative Airlines makes it easy to compare options and find the perfect replacement for your Calafia routes. We'll help you navigate all these carriers and more to get you exactly where you need to go!

Fleet ✈️

• Calafia Airlines operated a small fleet of regional aircraft, including Cessna 208B Caravans, Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops and Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets.

Cabin classes 💺

• The airline ran an economy-only cabin, with seating arranged in 1 x 2 on smaller aircraft and 2 x 2 on Embraers.
• There was no onboard WiFi or entertainment, which matched its short-haul, no-frills model.

Baggage allowance 🎒

• Cessna flights: 5kg carry-on
• Embraer flights: 10kg carry-on and up to 25kg checked (more on Flex fares)
• Extra baggage: $100 MXN per kilo

What was it like onboard? ✨

• Passengers could expect a basic but reliable flying experience.
• Flights were often under two hours, with light snacks and drinks available for purchase.
• While onboard comfort was modest, Calafia made regional travel possible to places few other airlines reached.

Calafia Plus was the airline’s loyalty program, designed for frequent regional travellers. It offered three membership tiers:

• Easy - Basic level with access to priority boarding
• Smart - Unlocked after spending $50,000 MXN, offering faster points accumulation
• Premium - Included free seat selection and maximum points earning

Members paid a one-time $200 MXN enrolment fee, which was refunded as points. Each point held a value of 1 MXN, and could be used for full or partial flight payments. Points expired annually on September 1st, regardless of account activity.

The program had no links with other airlines or alliances, keeping things simple but limited to Calafia-operated flights.

Although no official closure notice was published, the Calafia Plus program effectively ended when the airline ceased operations in August 2023. Members were not given advance warning and unused points became void once the airline stopped flying.

Fly with Señor Air ✈️

Since Calafia Airlines stopped flying, Señor Air has stepped in to serve several of the same regional routes, especially across Baja California.

You can now reach Loreto, La Paz and Los Cabos using Señor Air or other carriers like Volaris, Viva Aerobus or TAR Aerolíneas, often through major hubs like Guadalajara or Mexico City.

Airports in Baja California 🛬

• Los Cabos International (SJD) - The main airport in southern Baja, well-connected with domestic and some international routes.
• La Paz International (LAP) - Smaller, but now seeing more traffic thanks to new airline services.
• Loreto International (LTO) - Essential for travellers heading to the Sea of Cortez or the Sierra de la Giganta.

Finding the best route 🔎

With Calafia gone, finding the right flight can be tricky, but we’re here to help.

Use Alternative Airlines to compare routes with over 600 airlines and choose from over 40 ways to pay, including flexible payment options.