Aeroméxico
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| AeroMéxico | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA AM | ICAO AMX |
Callsign AeroMéxico |
| Founded | 1934 (as Aeronaves de México) 1988 (as Aerovias de México) | <tr><th colspan="2">Hubs</th><td>Mexico City International Airport|
| Fleet size | 77 | |
| Destinations | 45 | |
| Headquarters | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Key people | Andrés Conesa (CEO) | |
| Website: http://www.aeromexico.com | ||
AeroMéxico, is Mexico's largest airline, largest in Latin America by number of destinations and also by fleet. It has been considered for more than 11 consecutive years as the most on-time airline worldwide. It operates more than 400 daily flights, or 750 together with Aerolitoral to 59 destinations, 39 in Mexico, 14 in North America, 3 in South America, 2 in Europe and 1 in Asia making it the only Latin American airline to fly to Asia. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Its main base is Mexico City International Airport, Mexico City with hubs at General Mariano Escobedo International Airport, Monterrey, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, Guadalajara, General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia International Airport, Hermosillo and General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport, Tijuana.
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[edit] History
The airline was established as Aeronaves de México on 15 September 1934 by Antonio Díaz Lombardo. The first plane was a Stinson SR driven by the pilot Julio Zinser who protagonized the maiden flight on the route Mexico City - Acapulco on 14 September 1934. When World War II struck, it continued to grow with the help of Pan Am, which owned 25% of the new Mexican airline. Aeroméxico saw few changes for the next two decades. However, during the 1950s, renovation began, and the airline took over various small competitor companies across the country, including Aerovias Guest the second airline of the country at that time, which was the original owner of the routes to Madrid and Paris (these routes are still being flown by Boeing 767's and Boeing 777's). Aeroméxico added aircraft like the legendary Douglas DC-3 and its successor, the DC-4.
In the late 50's the DC-4's were replaced by some Douglas DC-6 and 3 Bristol Britannia the first turboprop pasenger plane in the fleet and in 1958, services were inaugurated to Idlewild Airport (now JFK) using the same Bristol Britannia. The Mexico City-New York route would prove profitable for "Aeronaves" and its North American competitors. The airline was nationalised in 1959.
In the early 60's the fleet of Aeronaves de Mexico (Aeromexico) was integrated by Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-6, Bristol Britannia and in 1961 "Aeronaves" started replacing its piston-engined planes for new planes, this time with jets the first two that were introducted were a pair of Douglas DC-8's, joining the worldwide airline industry evolution of that era. The planes started flying to New York and Europe, later during the 1960s more DC-8's were added, followed by 7 Douglas DC-9s 15 series between 1967 and 1968 for domestic and US service. This enabled the airline to gradually expand its international services and in the late 60's the Douglas DC-3 were finally retired.
The 1970s brought dramatic changes for Aeroméxico. In 1970, under a government plan, Mexican domestic airlines were rationalised into an integrated air transport system under the control of Aeronaves de Mexico and organised into eight smaller carriers, although this was later disbanded.
In the early 70's The remaining DC-6 and Bristol Britannia's were retired a new color scheme (Orange and Black) was introduced and the airline changed its name from "Aeronaves de México" to its current, shortened version of Aeroméxico in February 1972. Aeromexico as one of the launcher costumers of the Douglas DC-10-30s program, received the first two planes on 1974, registered as XA-DUG and XA-DUH, also in this year received the first 4 DC-9's 32 series. During this period the airline's popularity and visibility grew dramatically: in part due to Aeroméxico's involvement in Mexican movies. Basically, every time a character in any movie produced in Mexico had to fly somewhere, they supposedly flew on Aeroméxico. Service to Canada was iniciated and on late 70's two more DC-9 15 series were added to the fleet.
The early 1980s brought times of expansion, a new color scheme was introduced with all (Orange paint and silver), 2 DC-10-15's and a 1 DC-10-30 were added on 1981 N10038 and N1003N and on 1982 N3878P later XA-RIY. Aeromexico as one of the launcher costumers of the MD-82 a stretch version of the DC-9 received the first two planes on late 1981, and during this period between 1980 and 1981 8 DC-9's 32 series were added.
The Late 1980s were tought times for Aeroméxico, on August 31, 1986, the company suffered the only fatal accident outside of Mexico when a Douglas DC-9 approaching Los Angeles International Airport was struck by a small Piper aircraft. Both aircraft then fell to earth in the Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos, California. All 64 passengers and crew on board the DC-9-15 were killed, as were three on the Piper, fifteen victims on the ground were also killed and after 3 years and a large trial the plane crew or the airline were not to blame, as the Piper was being flown by a pilot who strayed into an air traffic control zone reserved for commercial flights. This accident cost 82 people their lives.
Aeroméxico's safety record rates a "A", the highest grade possible, according to Air Rankings Online. Rankings are cumulative, based on the number of fatal accidents per million flights that the carrier has flown since 1970.
In April 1988, the state owned company was declared bankrupt, the main reasons were lack of organization, a fleet with an average of 20 years without a renovating plan and a depredating administration by the Mexican Government. The company was grounded for 3 months, later on August a privatisation program was under way, in the reorganization 10 Douglas DC-8 were retired along with 5 Douglas DC-9-15 series aircraft.
Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., was born and established on September 7 1988, with the main objective of setting up public air transportation services for passengers, mail and cargo in general both domestically and internationally. The Company practically acquired all assets of Aeronaves de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. The airline was thus privatised. This new airline started operations with 25 aircraft (DC-9-32'S, MD-82's/83's and DC-10's) and less than one half of their former employees, 400 of which were pilots, the first CEO was Pedro Cerisola Weber.
The main investors of the new airline were local banks, private investors and 25% by the pilots union, ASPA. Revitalized and reinvigorated, Aeroméxico resumed operations, changning the paint scheme to (blue/red), this colors were introduced on early 1989. On the period between 1989 and 1991 many aircraft were added to the fleet 1 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30, 4 ex-eastern Douglas DC-9-31s and 10 brand new McDonnell Douglas MD-88s recovering load factors.
The early 90's were turbulent times, with the rise in petrol due to the first gulf war, and a domestic fare war caused by start up airlines like TAESA, Saro, Aviacsa among others, as well as constant labor problems.
AeroMéxico a long tradition McDonnell Douglas customer became a Boeing customer in 1990, placing an order for 26 Boeing 767/Boeing 757 airplanes with deliveries between 1991 and 1996. However, only 15 of these planes were delivered. 4 757's were diverted to AeroPeru between 1993 and 1996. On 1991 Aeoromexico bought Aerolitoral the 3rd. Regional airline in Aeromexico's history and now the most important regional carrier in Mexico. The fleet increased from 27 jets in October l988 to 55 jets and 18 turboprop aircraft from the regional feeder Aerolitoral in December l992.
Between 1991 and 1994, more second handed MD-82's and 83's were added, the first two MD-87's in 1993 for charter fligths, and 6 brand new 757's new routes were added to Phoenix, Arizona, and all over the western United States, as well as to Lima. In 1992, AeroMéxico introduced direct fligths to Madrid and Paris from Mexico City and started services to Frankfurt via Paris and Rome via Madrid. Between 1994 and 1995 the 6 DC-10's in the fleet were retired. Their last revenue flight was in February 1995.
In mid 1995 in the middle of an economic crisis in Mexico, AeroMexico sufered a fraud of US$75m made by their former CEO Gerardo de Prevoisin, and became a part of Grupo Cintra along with Mexicana to avoid a bankruptcy of the two main carriers and completed a successful financial restructuring in August 1995. There was a set back in the fleet, 3 MD-83's were returned to lessors as well 4 767's fligths to Frankfurt and Rome were cancelled. Later on 1996 it code share with Delta Air Lines and Air France started, and 3 years later in 1999 AeroMexico became one of the founders SkyTeam.
Since 1995 many banks like Bancomer that holded a large amount of stocks on Grupo Cintra were sold to foreingn Banks or foreign investors, the government during the transactions paid and kept the stocks, and by the end of selling process the Government holded a total of 56% of Grupo Cintra that included Mexicana.
In late 90's some aircraft were added between 1996 and 2000, 4 767's, 3 757's and 6 MD-80's flights to Madrid and Paris started to be operated on daily basis, but there was not a substantial growth of the company.
The Sell of Grupo Cintra was anonunced after several delays by September 1999, with the coming president elecctions on year 2000 everything was delayed again, all the policy changed since the ruling party for 70 years lost the election, the new government put everything on hold until they got better conditions to start licitations, and when they were about to start the process 9/11 came and nothing materialized since the two main carriers Mexicana and AeroMexico as all the carriers in the world were loosing large amounts money.
In the period between 2000-2005 AeroMexico had an average fleet of 70 aircraft in main line, plus 25 in Aerolitoral and 5 CEO's in the same period. From 2003 an ambitious fleet renovation program was started replacing all the remaining DC-9-32's(14) and MD-82/83's for more efficient 737-700/800 and 767-200ER and 757-200's for a higher capacity 777-200ER on long haul routes and in Aerolitoral the regional airline Metro's and Saab's for ERJ-145's.
In November 29, 2005 Grupo Cintra agreed to sell Mexicana Group (Mexicana de Aviación and Click Mexicana) to Mexican hotel chain Grupo Posadas for USD$165.5 million. Cintra rejected bids for AeroMexico, because they were too low, but Grupo Cintra executives insisted they would put AeroMexico back on the block in January 2006.
In January 24, 2006 Grupo Cintra agreed to change the company's name to Consorcio AeroMéxico, after the selling of Mexicana Group.
In March 29, 2006 AeroMéxico CEO, Andrés Conesa announced, that Aeroméxico intends to inaugurate direct flights between Japan and Mexico City this after the purchase of two Boeing 777-200ER. This will make Aeroméxico the second airline in Latin America to fly to Asia, after Varig (Due to Varig finincial situation and until Varig restart fights to Asia it would be the only one).
In April 4, 2006 AeroMéxico's parent company (Consorcio Aeroméxico) announced it has decided to seek a buyer through a bidding process rather than privatize via a stock offering as had been considered.
On June 29, 2006 the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and AeroMéxico, announced that the airline will operate three Boeing 787 airplanes. Aeromexico will lease the three 787-8s from ILFC with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2010, another 2 planes will be in service by 2011, also on leasing from ILFC. This will make Aeroméxico the first Latin American airline to operate 787s.
In mid September, 2006 AeroMéxico announced that it will start operating the first flight to Tokyo, Japan on November 16, 2006 this with the third 777-200ER arrival, this is a second hand airplane previously operated by Varig and it will be delivered in the first days of November by ILFC, two more are expected in 2007. AeroMéxico is the second Mexican Airline to have scheduled transpacific service, the first one was TAESA for 3 months in the mid 90's.
Actually, only AeroMéxico and Aerolitoral are the only airlines in Mexico with IATA Audit Certification, IOSA, reach all the best standards of SkyTeam.
In November 16, 2006 AeroMéxico inaugurated the flight to Tokyo-Narita from Mexico City via Tijuana in a Boeing 777-200ER. Bought more 16 airplanes from Boeing, ten 737-700 plus six 737-700 previously announced.
[edit] Destinations
see article: Aeroméxico destinations.
[edit] Fleet
Image:Aeromexico B762 XA-JBC 20060608 STR 800x533.jpg
The all-Boeing Aeroméxico fleet consists of the following aircraft as of September 2006[citation needed]:
| Type | Total | Passengers | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 3 (3 Orders) | <center>124<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
| Boeing 737-700 | 30 (13 Orders) | <center>150<center> | Domestic Routes, USA and South America |
| Boeing 757-200 | 2 | <center>175-180<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
| Boeing 767-200ER | 3 | <center>181<center> | Europe, Monterrey and South America |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 1 | <center>209<center> | Europe and South America |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 3 (2 Orders) | <center>277<center> | Europe, Japan, South America and Tijuana |
| Boeing 787 | (5 Orders) | ||
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 5 | <center>142<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 6 | <center>142<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-87 | 14 | <center>109<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | 10 | <center>142<center> | Domestic Routes and USA |
The average age of Aeroméxico fleet is 10.9 years as of September 2006.
[edit] Salón Premier
Salones Premier are located throughout major airports in Mexico. The lounges open one hour before the departure of the first flight and close when the last flight departs.
[edit] Locations
The following locations are Salón Premier lounges:
- Mexico City (Domestic)
- Mexico City (International)
- Acapulco
- Chihuahua
- Cancún
- Guadalajara
- Ciudad Juárez
- Mérida
- Monterrey
- Tijuana
[edit] Incidents and accidents
- Aeronaves de México; 26 March, 1954 near Monterrey, México. XA-GUN (Douglas DC-3)
- Aeronaves de México; 2 June, 1958 near Guadalajara, México. XA-MEV (Lockheed 749A Constellation)
- Aeronaves de Mexico; 19 January, 1961 in New York, New York (Idlewild). XA-XAX (McDonnell Douglas DC-8-21)
- Aeronaves de México; 13 August 1966 near Acapulco, Mexico XA-PEI (Douglas DC-8-51)
- Aeronaves de México; 24 December 1966 Lake Texcoco, Mexico XA-NUS (Douglas DC-8-51)
- Aeronaves de México; 12 June, 1967 near La Paz, México. XA-FUW (Douglas DC-3A-197D)
- Aeronaves de México; 09 July 1967 Tijuana Airport, Mexico. XA-MEC (Bristol 175 Britania 302)
- Aeromexico; 20 June,1973 near Puerto Vallarta,México. XA-SOC (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15)
- Aeromexico; 02 September 1976 Leon/Guanajuato-Del Bajio(BJX) XA-SOF (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15)
- Aeromexico; 27 July, 1981 in Chihuahua, México. XA-DEN (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- Aeromexico; 8 November, 1981 in Sierra de Guerrero, México. XA-DEO (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- Aeromexico/Pvt.; 31 August, 1986 in Cerritos, California. XA-JED (MD Douglas DC-9-32/Piper PA-28-181)
- Aeromexico; 15 October 1997 Mexico City XA-DEJ (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- Aeromexico; 06 October, 2000 in Reynosa México. N936ML (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31)
- Aeromexico; 31 October 2002 in Monterrey Mexico. XA-AMF (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- On March 1, 2005, an Aeromexico Boeing 757 suffered substantial damage and was not able to fly after a Mexicana A319 that was just in front of it made a 180 degree turn to avoid hitting a passenger who had just jumped off a Lufthansa Boeing 747 that was taking off Benito Juarez International Airport. [1]
[edit] Livery
Aeromexico's livery is a Eurowhite scheme, composed of primarily white fuselage with blue in the tail and a red stripe across the front of the plane.
[edit] Trivia
- During the 1990s, Aeromexico owned a substantial number of shares of Aeroperu. Similarly, Puerto Rican governor, Pedro Rosselló, announced Aeromexico was interested in forming Aero Puerto Rico, but plans did not go further.
- One of Aeromexico's Douglas DC-8s, registered XA-DOE, was the first DC-8 built, having originally flown for Delta Air Lines.
- Aeromexico is the only airline that has ever shown the movie Airplane! on its aircraft.
- Recently Aeromexico became the first airline in Latin America to make an order for the Boeing 787
- Aeromexico is now the only airline in Latin America to offer services to Japan and the second Latin American airline to fly in the Asian Continent (The first one was Varig).
[edit] External links
- Aeroméxico
- Aeroméxico Virtual
- Aeroméxico Fleet Age
- Aeroméxico Fleet Detail
- Aeroméxico Passenger Opinions
| Members of the SkyTeam Alliance | ||
| Aeroflot • Aeroméxico • Air France • Alitalia • Continental Airlines Czech Airlines • Delta Air Lines • KLM • Korean Air • Northwest Airlines Future members: China Southern Airlines | ||
| Members of the Air Transport Association | |
|---|---|
| ABX Air | Alaska Airlines | Aloha Airlines | American Airlines | Astar Air Cargo | ATA Airlines | Atlas Air | Continental Airlines | Delta Air Lines | Evergreen International Airlines | FedEx | Hawaiian Airlines | JetBlue Airways | Midwest Airlines | Northwest Airlines | Southwest Airlines | United Airlines | UPS Airlines | US Airways | |
| Associate Members: Aeroméxico | Air Canada | Air Jamaica | Mexicana | |
es:Aeroméxico fr:Aeroméxico id:Aeromexico nl:Aeroméxico ja:アエロメヒコ航空 pt:Aeroméxico fi:Aeroméxico sv:Aeroméxico
