By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY MEXICALI, Mexico — New Mexican discount airlines are using rock-bottom fares to cater to legal and illegal migrants heading for the USA.
The airlines — known among fliers as Aeromigrante, or "Migrant Air" — take passengers from central or southern Mexico to cities along the northern border such as Tijuana and Mexicali. From there, customers make their way across the U.S. border. 
The flights are part of a booming services industry for the estimated 13 million Mexican and Central American migrants who reside in the USA. Passengers who used to make bus trips of several days can arrive at the border well-rested for the often dangerous crossing