Mexican City Wants To Hold Balloon Festivals

Let's face it. Relations between the US and Mexico haven't been the greatest since President George W. Bush decided to invade Iraq. So let's call this a grassroots attempt to brighten the landscape along the Rio Grande -- Mexican overtures to create a "bilateral" balloon fiesta.

Under the plan, put forth by city leaders in Chihuahua, would see about 30 balloons that participate in the Albuquerque, NM, Balloon Fiesta head south of the border. The Albuquerque event kicks off in October; the Chihuahua event would start in early November.

To facilitate the Mexican fiesta, both countries would be asked to allow direct flights between Albuquerque and Chihuahua. And it could become just the economic boom both cities would love to see.

"Rather than work as individual cities or states, the idea is to combine our efforts and sell the two cities on a regional basis and as a joint package," said Alberto Sol�s, manager of the International Trade division of the city of Albuquerque's Office of Economic Development. He was quoted by the New Mexico Business Weekly. "The idea is to develop a joint plan for economic development."

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez is headed to Chihuahua later this year, hoping, among other things, to shore up the proposal. "This gave me more confidence and hope for this relationship than anything I have ever done as mayor with Mexico," Chavez told the business weekly. "The mayor of Chihuahua came, along with business leaders and city councilors. This was the first meeting and there were some good business contacts made."

One of those contacts, Chavez said, is with Westward Airlines, the carrier he'd like to see fly between Albuquerque and Chihuahua. Westward was recently awarded routes between the New Mexican capital, Taos, Las Cruces, Gallup and Alamorgordo. Westward flies Pilatus PC-12s.

"We know it is going to be Westward. We will focus on tourists and business passengers, but I'm interested in getting the blue-collar market," Chavez told the Business Weekly. "I want to get all of those people who are taking buses."

FMI: www.cabq.gov