Volaris starts Mexico City flights from McCarran

Competition for airline passengers to Mexico City stepped up Thursday when discounter Volaris launched daily nonstop flights from McCarran International Airport.

At the start of last year, Mexicana dominated the route with two flights a day, while Aeromexico had just two flights a week. After Mexicana's financial collapse nearly a year ago, Aeromexico stepped into the void and boosted service to twice-daily.

Volaris' entry will expand total flights to three a day. Mexico is the second-largest source of visitors to Las Vegas after Canada, and Hispanics comprise more than a fourth of the valley's population.

As part of a general expansion into U.S. markets, Volaris first came to Las Vegas in March and now has 11 nonstops a week to Guadalajara. In June, Volaris carried 9,400 passengers through McCarran, compared with 13,800 for Aeromexico and 16,500 a year ago for Mexicana when it was still in operation.