Richardson, Sonora governor agree on new flights

Gov. Bill Richardson signed two agreements with Gov. Eduardo Bours Castelo of the Mexican state of Sonora.

The memoranda of understanding focus on strengthening economic, tourism and security ties between the two states, including establishing direct flights between Albuquerque and Sonora.

The flights would be between Albuquerque and Puerto Peñasco and Hermosillo in Senora. No airline was mentioned as a potential carrier.

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A second memorandum of understanding establishes a framework for creating a New Mexico-Sonora Commission. The purpose would be to strengthen economic, cultural, tourism and border security joint endeavors between the two states, which share an isolated section of international border and have concerns around smuggling and organized criminal activity.

Richardson spoke at the annual U.S.-Mexico Border Health Association Conference in Hermosillo.