Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Vallarta news headlines, some community announcements, and a couple of weekend events that you won't want to miss.

Direct Flights from London Coming to Vallarta

During his visit to Berlin, Germany last week, the Jalisco State Tourism Secretary, Enrique Ramos Flores announced that, as a result of the tourism board's efforts, direct flights to Puerto Vallarta from London and Manchester will commence in May. The Tourism Secretary was in Berlin to attend one of the world's most important tourism events, at which Mexico was the invited country. "The negotiations took a while, but we got the deal 'off the ground' and the Puerto Vallarta International Airport will start receiving these flights in May. We are excited because this will bring more tourism to the Banderas Bay region," he said.

Amapas Neighborhood Association Sunset Beach Party

On Tuesday, March 25th from 6-8 pm, the Amapas Neighborhood Association (ANA) will be hosting a Sunset Beach Party in the Tropicana Hotel's pool and cabana area to raise money to help them in their fight to prevent the construction of oversized buildings. While some buildings were approved before the Plan Parcial was passed, there are new challenges to this law, including the D'Terrace project, and the ANA is fighting to protect their views. The neighborhood association's 2014 legal budget is $50,000 pesos, which buys only 4 months of legal aid, so they are looking to raise another $50,000 pesos to defend Amapas homeowners' rights. ANA Member Jim Gabbert has generously offered to match the first $13,000 pesos in donations at this event, so come out and catch the sunset with your friends and neighbors, while learning more about the ANA's cause. You'll enjoy great music, live entertainment, unbelievable raffle prize packages, finger-food and an open bar - all for $300 pesos at the door. For more information, send an email to amapaspv(at)gmail.com

Southwest Airlines Connects Flights to Mexico

Thinking about fleeing the county? Southwest Airlines has you covered. But seriously, the airline announced last week that it would begin service to Mexico in August. Southwest will have flights to Cancun from Atlanta, Baltimore, and Milwaukee, as well as flights to Cabo San Lucas from Orange County in California... can you say Spring Break? And don't worry Dallas, you're not left out. With federal restrictions on long-haul service at Love Field set to expire in October, Southwest has plans to start nonstop service to fifteen cities that have not yet been announced.

Vallarta-Guadalajara Shortcut to be Completed in 2016

Construction of the Jala-Bahía de Banderas Highway, better known as the "shortcut between Guadalajara and Vallarta-Nayarit" is progressing without a hitch and is scheduled to be completed in late 2016. According to the Director of Centro SCT in Nayarit, Jesús Miramontes Lara, despite the expense and complexity of building the project in the mountains and valleys, the highway construction is coming along nicely. He went on to say that since they are working hand in hand with INAH, Semarnat and Profepa to complete the right-of-way studies, they have made significant progress on the Jala-Compostela stretch, which he hopes will be finished in December 2014. Federal officials warned that although the issue of right of way is always complicated, they have full confidence that it will not slow down this road project, and they are hopeful that the project will be completed on schedule. Estimates by the Ministry of Communications and Transport suggest that once operational, the "shortcut" between Guadalajara and Vallarta-Nayarit will shorten the drive to about three hours.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay
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• Daiquiri Dick's & ACT II 'Dinner and a Show' Package

• Mexico Cup Regatta at Marina Riviera Nayarit March 16-30th

• Taste Restaurant's 'Dine for a Cause' Supports SETAC