25. September 2024
¡Hola México! Flix announces plan to launch in world's third largest bus market
+++ Flix enters Mexico in first half of 2025, a market with estimated value of 6-8 Bn Eur
+++ New funding accelerates Flix’s path for global expansion and market leadership
+++ European and India expansions continues global growth path
Munich, 25th September 2024 – Flix SE, a global travel-tech leader, reports significant expansion in key markets and the introduction of its services in Mexico, the world’s third largest bus market.
This expansion follows a successful first half of the year, characterized by strong performance across Europe, North America, and India, as well as strategic advancements in FlixTrain’s network. With an unwavering focus on sustainable, affordable travel, Flix is on track to build upon its 2023 success, which saw record revenues of EUR 2 billion and 81 million passengers.
New market in Latin America
In the first half of 2025, Flix will begin operations in Mexico, marking a major milestone in the company’s Latin American expansion. Mexico, with its extensive bus-travel culture, presents a significant opportunity for Flix to bring its tech-driven travel offer to millions of new customers. The Mexican bus market is estimated by Flix to be valued between 6 and 8 Bn EUR.
“Mexico has a strong bus travel history and culture that we want to contribute to. With our tech platform, booking experience, app, and global brand and know-how I am certain that we bring a modern travel experience to the Mexican customers,” states André Schwämmlein, CEO and Co-founder.
Mexico is the third major Latin-American country in which Flix will operate as it follows Brazil and Chile, where Flix has seen immediate success and rapid expansion since initially launching in both countries.
European expansion and strengthening leadership position
Throughout 2024, Flix has continued to deepen its market leadership across Europe. For the very first time, Flix offers domestic service in Norway. A new airport shuttle in Sweden and domestic expansions in Finland support a growing Northern European market. Furthermore, Flix has strengthened its leadership position across the European network via increased frequencies and newly added destinations. In Portugal, Flix added 11 new destinations so far this year bringing the total to 93 in the country. Likewise, Ukraine saw an increase 19 new destinations taking the total to 92 with other markets seeing similar increases in destinations.
Continuing global growth with India’s expansion
In early 2024, Flix marked its official entry into the Indian market, introducing bus services in one of the world’s most dynamic and densely populated regions. With increasing demand for public transport in India, Flix is well-positioned to tap into this growing market*. Having launched in the North of the country, concentrated around Delhi, Flix has expanded its operations since September with a new hub in the South around Bangalore. Today, the Flix network covers 101 cities and 215 stops nationwide, being a testament to a rapidly growing important market for Flix.
FlixTrain
FlixTrain experienced its largest network expansion in 2024, increasing its capacity by 40%. With up to 150 bookable stops now available across Germany, FlixTrain has become a key player in providing an alternative to traditional rail services. This expansion aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly long-distance travel options.
New e-bus projects foster sustainability plans
Sustainability remains at the core of Flix’s operations. In 2024 new projects include battery electric coaches launched in the UK and Portugal, with 100% reduction of CO2 emissions at Tank-to-Wheel level. More projects initiated in 2024 include the first battery electric coaches launched in Chile, and thus in South America, and biofuel coaches tested in France and Italy. These projects are part of a progressive transformation of its bus partners’ fleets to achieve the ambitious goals to achieve Net Zero operations within 2040 in Europe and within 2050 globally.
Strategic investment to support further growth
In July 2024, Flix secured a major investment from EQT Future and Kühne Holding, acquiring a 35% minority stake in the company. This partnership will accelerate Flix’s expansion plans, including its entry into the Mexican market, and enhance existing operations. The funding is part of a long-term partnership aimed at accelerating Flix’s global growth.
Looking forward towards the end of the year, Flix expects to see even further expansions in its markets, with Finland, Ukraine, India, and the South American region adding new lines and destinations in the upcoming months. The company remains committed to leveraging its cutting-edge technology to deliver a seamless travel experience for customers across the globe.
*https://www.occstrategy.com/de/report/long-distance-travel-market/
About Flix
Flix intends to transform the public transport sector by offering sustainable and affordable long-distance bus- and train travel solutions in more than 40 countries across four continents. With its asset-light business model and innovative technology platform, Flix, launched in 2013, swiftly established a market-leading position for long-distance bus travel in Europe, North America and Türkiye and is rapidly expanding further into South America and India through its brands FlixBus, FlixTrain, Kamil Koç, and Greyhound.
Driven by increased awareness for sustainable travel, Flix aims to achieve Net Zero operations in Europe by 2040 and globally by 2050. To assess its progress within a scientifically recognized framework, Flix established near-term targets for emissions reduction with the Science Based Targets initiative.
While Flix manages the commercial side of the business such as network planning, pricing, operations control, marketing and sales, quality management and continuous product development with a data-driven approach, trusted Flix partners conduct the daily operations. The innovative combination of Flix’s technology and sales platform with traditional passenger travel has turned a European start-up into a leading and globally expanding travel tech company.
For more information, please visit corporate.flixbus.com