Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cozumel will have a direct air link to Europe for the first time in its history when Italian carrier Neos launches a Milan-Cozumel route on December 24, 2026, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announced.
The intercontinental service will connect Milan-Malpensa International Airport with the island using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Neos is a subsidiary of the Alpitour World tourism group, which moves more than 3.3 million travelers a year, and already operates flights into Cancún International Airport.
How the Milan-Cozumel Route Came Together
The state Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) and the Quintana Roo Tourism Department carried out joint promotional work to bring the Italian market to the island, supported by adjustments that airport operator Grupo ASUR made at Cozumel International Airport.
“Cozumel will premiere the first flight from Europe, connecting Milan-Cozumel and Cozumel-Milan,” Lezama said. “We keep opening new doors to the world so that more visitors and travelers discover the beauty of Cozumel, the Island of the Swallows, and everything our Mexican Caribbean has to offer.”
The announcement comes as the island’s airport recorded more than 408,000 passengers in the first half of 2026. Cruise tourism remains a larger driver of arrivals: between January and August of this year, 1,314 ship calls brought more than 5.58 million passengers to Cozumel.
Economic Reach Beyond the Island
Lezama said the strategy aims to diversify Quintana Roo’s international routes so that tourism spending reaches local service providers, hotels, restaurants, artisans and merchants directly.
The governor added that European visitors will be able to combine stays on the island with cultural, culinary and archaeological offerings along the Riviera Maya.
“Behind every flight there are opportunities for our tourism service providers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, artisans and merchants,” she said.
The state government said it will keep working with airlines to expand the destination’s international air connectivity.
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