Aeroméxico

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AeroMéxico
AeroMéxico Logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
AM AMX AEROMEXICO
Founded 1 October 1988 (1988-10-01); (Its predecessor was Aeronaves de México, founded on 14 September 1934, 81 years ago)
Commenced operations 1 October 1988 (1988-10-01); 27 years ago (as Aerovias de Mexico SA de CV)
Hubs
Secondary hubs
Frequent-flyer program Club Premier
Airport lounge Salón Premier
Alliance SkyTeam
Subsidiaries Aeroméxico Cargo
Aeroméxico Connect
Aeroméxico Express
Aeroméxico Servicios
Fleet size 66
Destinations 84
Company slogan
  • "Mexico's Global Airline" (English)
  • "La linea que nos une" (Spanish)[2]
Parent company Grupo Aeroméxico
Headquarters Mexico City, Mexico
Key people Andrés Conesa Labastida (CEO)
Revenue Increase US$ 2.80 billion (2011)[3]
Net income Increase US$ 267.6 million (2011)[3]
Employees 13,745 (5 March 2014)
Website www.aeromexico.com
Aeroméxico headquarters building
AeroMéxicoHQMexicoCityDF.jpg
Aeroméxico is located in Mexico City Reforma Angel to Diana
Aeroméxico
Location along Paseo de la Reforma
Former names Edificio Centro Olímpico ("Olympic Center Building")
General information
Status Complete
Address Paseo de la Reforma 445, Colonia Cuauhtémoc
Town or city Mexico City
Country Mexico
Coordinates 19°25′31″N 99°10′21″W / 19.425377°N 99.1725283°W / 19.425377; -99.1725283
Current tenants Aeroméxico, Club Premier
Completed 1968
Owner Aeroméxico
Height 50 metres (160 ft)[4]
Technical details
Floor count 13
Design and construction
Architect Fernando Pineda, Francisco J. Serrano, Luis MacGregor Krieger
References
Emporis page[5][6]
Aeroméxico's office in Paris

Aerovías de México, S.A. de C.V.[7] operating as Aeroméxico, is the flag carrier[8] airline of Mexico based in Mexico City. It operates scheduled services to more than 56 destinations[9] in Mexico; North, South, and Central America; the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Its main base and hub is Mexico City International Airport, with a secondary hub at Monterrey.[1]

Grupo Aeroméxico includes Aeroméxico mainline and Aeroméxico Connect (regional subsidiary). The group held #1 place in domestic market share with 36.6%, and #2 place behind American Airlines with 15.3% of the international market share, in the 12 months ending March 2014,[10] becoming Mexico's largest domestic airline group. Aeroméxico is one of the four founding members of the SkyTeam airline alliance, along with Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air.

History[edit]

1934[edit]

The airline was established as Aeronaves de México on 15 September 1934,[11] by Antonio Díaz Lombardo. The first plane was a Stinson SR. Julio Zinser piloted the maiden flight on the Mexico City - Acapulco route on 14 September 1934.

An early Bellanca aircraft of Aeroméxico, México City - Acapulco ca. 1935
Aeronaves de Mexico Bristol Britannia at New York JFK in 1958

1940s[edit]

When World War II began, the airline 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 Aerovías Guest (the second airline of the country at that time) that held the routes to Madrid and Paris. Aeroméxico added aircraft including the Douglas DC-3 and its successor, the Douglas DC-4.

1950s[edit]

During the late 1950s, the Douglas DC-4's were replaced by some pressurised Douglas DC-6 and two Bristol Britannias, the first turboprop passenger plane in the fleet and in 1958, services were inaugurated to Idlewild Airport (now JFK) using the Britannias. The Mexico City-New York route would prove profitable for "Aeronaves" and its North American competitors. The airline was nationalised in 1959.

1960s[edit]

In the early 1960s, the fleet of Aeronaves de México (Aeroméxico) included Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-6, and Bristol Britannia aircraft. Starting in 1961, "Aeronaves" began replacing its piston-engined planes with new jets. The first jet-engined aircraft were a pair of Douglas DC-8's. The planes were used on routes within Mexico and to New York City. Between 1962 and 1963, Aeronaves de México (Aeroméxico) took over Aerovías Guest Mexico the second airline, and they were merged under the name Aeronaves de México. Later in the 1960s, more DC-8's were added and service to Europe was resumed, operated by two Comet-4C aircraft dry-leased by Aerovías Guest prior to the merger.

1970s[edit]

Aeronaves de Mexico Douglas DC-8-51 at Toronto Airport in 1971
Aeromexico Douglas DC-9-32 at Miami International Airport in 1975

The 1970s brought dramatic changes for Aeroméxico. In 1970, under a government plan, Mexican domestic airlines were nationalized into an integrated air transport system under the control of Aeronaves de México. The system included eight smaller carriers, although these were later disbanded.[11] During the early-1970s, the remaining Douglas DC-6 and Bristol Britannia aircraft 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.

Aeroméxico, as one of the launch customers of the Douglas DC-10-30s program, received the first of its two planes in 1974, registered as XA-DUG and XA-DUH. That same year the airline also took delivery of their first seven Douglas DC-9-32s. During this period the airline's popularity and visibility grew dramatically. This was due in part 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 initiated and in the early-1970s, two more DC-9-15s were added to the fleet.[citation needed]

1980s[edit]

The early 1980s were marked by expansion. A new color scheme was introduced (orange paint and silver), two DC-10-15 and a DC-10-30 planes were added in 1981, N10038 and N1003N, and in 1984, N3878P later XA-RIY. Aeroméxico, one of the launch customers of the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (an elongated version of the DC-9), received the first two planes in late 1981. Between 1980 and 1981, eight more DC-9-32 aircraft were added. On 31 August 1986, the company suffered its only fatal accident outside Mexico when Aeroméxico Flight 498, 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-9-32 were killed, as were three on the Piper and fifteen people on the ground. After three years and a long trial, the plane crew and the airline were found not to blame. This was because the pilot of the Piper had strayed into an air traffic control zone reserved for commercial flights. That same year, the airline was acquired to the charter carrier GATSA and used it for their charter operations until December. In April 1988, the state-owned company was declared bankrupt and grounded for three months because of lack of organization, a fleet with an average of 20 years without a renovation plan and a depredating administration by the Mexican Government. In August, a privatization program was underway. This involved retiring the eight Douglas DC-8's (3 -62s and 5 -51s) along with the remaining ten DC-9-15 aircraft. Starting the privatization process included a new corporate name (Aerovias de Mexico SA de CV). The airline restarted operations with its predecessor's assets, including the headquarters building, maintenance hangar, some aircraft and some former Aeronaves de Mexico employees.

Aeroméxico Boeing 767-300 At Los Cabos International Airport

1990s[edit]

The early 1990s were turbulent times, with the rise in fuel costs due to the Gulf War, and a domestic fare war caused by start up airlines like TAESA, SARO, Aviacsa, among others, as well as constant labor problems. In April 1991 the first two 767-200ERs were introduced to the fleet starting to replace DC-10's in services to Europe, New York and Tijuana, another two 767-300ER's joined the fleet later that year. This was all a part of a renovation and expansion program to introduce 24 B757s/B767s Direct flights to Madrid and Paris from Mexico City with Boeing 767s as well as services to Frankfurt via Paris, Rome via Madrid.

In 1992 Grupo Aeroméxico was among other investors that failed to consummate the acquisition of Continental Airlines.

After failing to invest in Continental, Aeroméxico acquired the bankrupt Aeroperú from the Peruvian government. They tried to use the same path that led Aeroméxico to its leadership in the domestic market with Aeroperú.

In October 1992 2 Boeing 767-300ERs were added to the fleet (XA-RKI and XA-RKJ), replacing the 2 older 767-300ER jets (XA-RWW and XA-RWX).

In 1993 Aeroméxico Group took over Mexicana, the second largest airline in the Mexican market under the same management. There was a great dispute in June 1993 with the pilot union regarding the transfer of flights to regional subsidiary Aeromonterrey, which had non-union pilots.[12] Between 1994 and 1995, the six DC-10 aircraft in the fleet were finally retired. Their last revenue flight was in 1995.

In December 1994 (3 weeks after Carlos Salinas left the office), the first of several devaluations in the next 18 months started, giving way to an economic crisis in Mexico. As a consequence, Aeroméxico had to cut capacity and flights to Frankfurt and Rome were canceled, 4 MD80s and 4 B767s were returned to the lessors, early retirement for pilots and other staff was underway, a new 767 was due on April 1995 was transferred to LAN Airlines. Flights to Madrid and Paris were operated only by 2 767-300ER jets.

In 1996 Cintra was created to prevent the two main carriers from going bankrupt. Some B757s of Aeroméxico's original renovation program were transferred to Mexicana and Aeroperú. The market and the airline recovered between 1996 and 1998; 8 MD80s were leased back along with 2 B767-200ERs.

The sale of Grupo Cintra was scheduled after several delays in September 1999, and with the looming presidential elections in 2000, everything was delayed once again. The ruling party lost the election after 70 years in office and all the policies changed. Due to the recession in 2000, the new government put everything on hold, waiting for better economic conditions to start the stock sell-off, and just when everything was about to start, the 11 September 2001 attacks occurred and nothing materialized since the two main carriers, Mexicana and Aeroméxico, were losing large amounts of money.

2000s[edit]

A Boeing 737-700 in old livery

Between 2000 and 2005, Aeroméxico had an average fleet of 60 aircraft in main line, plus 20 in Aerolitoral, as well as five CEO's during this time. After 9/11 and the Iraq War, it pursued a fleet renovation program. In 2003, the airline acquired its first Boeing 737-700 instead of the Boeing 717 as a replacement for its aging DC-9 aircraft. On 29 March 2006 Aeroméxico CEO, Andrés Conesa announced the inauguration of direct flights between Japan and Mexico City via Tijuana. This was after the purchase of two Boeing 777-200ERs, making Aeroméxico the third airline in Latin America to fly regularly to Asia, after Varig and the now defunct VASP. Since Varig's demise, Aeroméxico is currently the only airline with this service. Aeroméxico resumed its Mexico City-Tijuana-Shanghai route twice a week as of 30 March 2010. Suspension of this flight was due to the 2009 flu pandemic.

On 29 June 2006, the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and Aeroméxico announced that the airline will operate 3 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Aeroméxico will lease the 5 787-8s from ILFC with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2012, another 2 planes on lease from ILFC will be in service by 2013, and 2 more in 2014 (they were originally to be delivered in 2010 and 2011). From 2006, Consorcio Aeroméxico S.A. de C.V., the parent company of Aeroméxico at the time, faced large debts and had no profits to pay them off, so it offered Aeroméxico for sale in 2007. In early October, a week-long auction was held, with Grupo Financiero Banamex competing against the Saba family. On October 17, 2007, Banamex offered the highest bid and purchased the airline for US$249.1 million. In October 2010, Aeromexico's largest competitor, Mexicana de Aviacion, filed for bankruptcy and was placed in administration.

2010s[edit]

Delta/Aeromexico alliance[edit]

A newly delivered 787-8 taxiing at London Heathrow Airport

In 2011, Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico signed an enhanced commercial alliance, building on an original agreement from 1994.[13] The 2011 agreement provides for codeshare on all the carriers' Mexico–US flights; Delta investing 65 million USD in Aeromexico shares; and Delta gaining a seat on the Aeromexico board of directors. In March 2014, the airlines opened Tech Ops Mexico, a 55 million USD joint maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Queretaro City, Mexico.[14] In March 2015, the airlines filed applications for antitrust immunity, a first step in the creation of a 1.5 billion USD joint cooperation agreement (JCA) that will allow Delta and Aeromexico to jointly sell, and share costs and profits on all Mexico–U.S. routes.[13] In May 2015, Mexican regulator approved the JCA; and in the same month the Mexican Senate approved Open Skies between the U.S. and Mexico. The approval of the JCA by the United States Department of Transportation is still pending.[15]

Dreamliners[edit]

On 25 July 2012, Andrés Conesa, Aeromexico CEO announced the purchase of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, albeit 6 firm orders and 4 options; with this, the company will become the first Mexican carrier to have this kind of equipment. In early July 2012 it was reported that the company was looking at Airbus A320 and A350, but ultimately decided on the aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The new order is added to the package of 20 aircraft that the company had announced in 2011 and nine more Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner already provided. The delivery of the Dreamliners began in the summer of 2013. The total investment is US$11 billion and that includes the acquisition of 90 Boeing 737-8 MAX which will be delivered during 2018.[16][17] The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (albeit leased from ILFC) in early August 2013 and officially launched commercial service on 1 October 2013.[18]

New technology[edit]

In 2016, Aeromexico added 2Ku wireless Internet service by Gogoto some 737-800 aircraft,[19] including access to Netflix. On its 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners it added Panasonic broadband Internet, and on Embraer narrowbody aircraft, streaming entertainment via Gogo's Gogo Vision.[20] In July 2016, the airline launched a completely new website, new check-in kiosks at Mexico City airport, and announced plans to launch a completely new mobile app in the Autumn of that year.[21] That same year, the airline also co-sponsored the launch of startup accelerator MassChallenge in Mexico.[22]

Corporate affairs[edit]

The company is run from its landmark headquarters at Paseo de la Reforma 445, Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Cuauhtémoc borough, Mexico City.[23] There is small U.S.administrative office in Houston.[24]

Destinations[edit]

Main article: Aeroméxico destinations

New destinations[edit]

In an attempt to gain more worldwide presence and strengthen its network and to make connections easier and more frequent, Aeroméxico has started to develop new international markets. From 2006 it started operations to Tokyo from Mexico City via Tijuana. Service to Shanghai from Mexico City via Tijuana began in May 2008. New destinations in 2014-2016 included Panama City (Panama), Santo Domingo, Vancouver, Toronto, Boston, Medellín, Amsterdam, Cozumel, and Austin (Texas).[25] The airline also plans to launch service to Beijing from Tijuana sometime in 2017.[26]

Airline partnerships and codeshares[edit]

Aeroméxico has codeshare agreements with SkyTeam members

Aeroméxico also codeshares with

Bus services from Tijuana[edit]

Aeroméxico contracts with Intercalifornias to offer bus service from Tijuana to cities in California. In order to board the bus, a passenger must have a ticket to or from Tijuana Airport on Aeroméxico.[28]

Fleet[edit]

Boeing 737-700
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 777-200ER
Boeing 787-8

As of September 2016 the Aeroméxico mainline fleet consists of the following aircraft:[29][30]

Aircraft In Fleet Orders Passengers[31] Notes
C W Y Total
Boeing 737-700 19 0 12 18 94 124 Being replaced by 737-800[citation needed]
Boeing 737-800 34 22 16 18 126 160
Boeing 737 MAX 8 0 60
TBA
 First delivery in October 2017[citation needed]
Boeing 777-200ER 4 0 49 0 228 277 Will be replaced by Boeing 787-9[citation needed]
Boeing 787-8 9 0 32 0 211 243
Boeing 787-9 0 6 36 0 238 274 Deliveries begin in 2016[citation needed]
Total 66 88

Retired fleet[edit]

Subsidiaries[edit]

Former Subsidiaries[edit]

Slogans[edit]

  • 1960s-1970s - Mexico's largest airline
  • 1990s - La linea aerea mas puntual del mundo [35]
  • Before 2009 - Travel the world (Vamos por el mundo) [36]
  • 2010–2012 - A donde te lleven tus sueños
  • 2012–2013 - Nunca nos detenemos
  • 2013–2015 - La linea que nos une
  • 2016–present - La linea de los mexicanos y del mundo
  • English slogan: "Mexico's Global Airline"[2]

Incidents, accidents and Hijackings[edit]

Aeronaves de México[edit]

  • 26 March 1954 near Monterrey, México - XA-GUN a Douglas DC-3.[37][38]
  • 2 June 1958 near Guadalajara, México - XA-MEV a Lockheed 749A Constellation[39][40]
  • 19 January 1961 in New York, New York (Idlewild) - XA-XAX a Douglas DC-8-21[41]
  • 13 August 1966 near Acapulco, Mexico - XA-PEI a Douglas DC-8-51.[42]
  • 24 December 1966 Lake Texcoco, Mexico - XA-NUS a Douglas DC-8-51[43]
  • 12 June 1967 near La Paz, México - XA-FUW a Douglas DC-3A[44]

AeroMexico[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "About Us", Aeromexico website, retrieved 2015-09-03
  2. ^ a b aeromexico.com
  3. ^ a b "Grupo Aeromexico S.A.B. De C.V. Releases Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011". Reuters. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012. 
  4. ^ "Aeroméxico Reforma" on Emporis site
  5. ^ "Edificio Centro Olímpico", Una Vida Moderna
  6. ^ "Aeroméxico, edemx.com". Retrieved 24 April 2015. 
  7. ^ "Report on Actions of Social Responsibility." Aeroméxico. 41 (43/44). Retrieved on 4 December 2010. "Paseo de la Reforma 445, Col. Cuauhtémoc. C.P. 06500 México D.F."
  8. ^ "Aeroméxico, la línea bandera del país", El Universal, 10 December 2010
  9. ^ Aeroméxico. "Aeroméxico - Destinos Aeroméxico". Aeroméxico. Retrieved 24 April 2015. 
  10. ^ "Aeromexico outlines its revenue and network strategy in an uncertain Mexican market". Retrieved 24 April 2015. 
  11. ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 49. 
  12. ^ ITF News. Retrieved 24 April 2015. 
  13. ^ a b "Delta and Aeroméxico: A 21-year partnership", Delta Air Lines News Hub, November 18, 2015
  14. ^ "Delta and Aeromexico Create Enhanced Commercial Alliance", PR Newswire, August 10, 2011
  15. ^ "Delta evaluates COFECE’s Joint Cooperation Agreement resolution", Delta Air Lines News Hub, May 2, 2016
  16. ^ "Boeing, Aeromexico Announce Commitment for 100 Airplanes - Jul 25, 2012". Boeing.mediaroom.com. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  17. ^ "Finanzas - Aeromexico invertirá 11 mil mdd para comprar 100 aviones". El Universal. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  18. ^ Linda Blachly (14 June 2013). "Aeromexico to take delivery of first 787 in August". ATWOnline. Retrieved 2013-06-30. 
  19. ^ "Gogo's 2Ku Technology Takes Flight on Aeromexico", PR Newswire, April 21, 2016
  20. ^ "Inflight Entertainment and WiFi", Aeromexico website
  21. ^ Álvarez, Domingo (August 2016). "Las puertas del cielo (The gates to heaven)". Aire. Grupo Expansión: 82. Retrieved 6 August 2016. 
  22. ^ "Aeroméxico apoya la iniciativa de MassChallenge" (Aeromexico supports the MassChallenge initiative), Aeromexico website
  23. ^ "Report on Actions of Social Responsibility." Aeroméxico. 4/44. Retrieved on 4 December 2010. "Paseo de la Reforma 445, Col. Cuauhtémoc. C.P. 06500 México D.F."
  24. ^ "Contact Us." Aeroméxico United States. Retrieved on 18 September 2014. "Aeromexico Consumer Relations 3663 N. Sam Houston Parkway E. Ste. #500 Houston, Texas 77032"
  25. ^ Aeromexico Press Room
  26. ^ http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/sep/06/tijuana-beijing-flight-planned-2017/
  27. ^ http://airlineroute.net/2015/12/22/amws-codeshare-dec15/
  28. ^ "Tijuana - California Cities." Aeroméxico. Retrieved on 19 April 2014.
  29. ^ http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aeromexico.htm
  30. ^ http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/AeroMexico/information.php
  31. ^ "Aeromexico: Our Fleet". Aeromexico.com. Retrieved 2014-04-16. 
  32. ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aeromexico-announces-launch-of-new-aeromexico-contigo-product-211882931.html
  33. ^ http://aeromexico.com/us/promotions/fare-sales-and-special-offers/am-contigo.html
  34. ^ http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/26699-aeromar-airlines-to-operate-its-atr72-600s-for-aeromxico-express
  35. ^ http://aeromexico.com/en/about-us/history-advertising/?site=us
  36. ^ http://www.slogans.de/slogans.php?BSelect%5B%5D=29320
  37. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-53-DO (DC-3) XA-GUN Monterrey". Aviation-safety.net. 25 March 1954. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  38. ^ "Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 03251954". Airdisaster.com. 25 March 1954. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  39. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed L-749A Constellation XA-MEV Guadalajara Airport (GDL)". Aviation-safety.net. 2 June 1958. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  40. ^ "Accident Database: Accident Synopsis 06021958". Airdisaster.com. 2 June 1958. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  41. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-21 XA-XAX New York-Idlewild International Airport, NY (IDL)". Aviation-safety.net. 19 January 1961. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  42. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-51 XA-PEI Acapulco". Aviation-safety.net. 13 August 1966. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  43. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-8-51 XA-NUS Lake Texcoco". Aviation-safety.net. 24 December 1966. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  44. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-3A-197D XA-FUW La Paz". Aviation-safety.net. 12 June 1967. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  45. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 XA-SOC Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR)". Aviation-safety.net. 20 June 1973. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  46. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 XA-SOF Léon Airport (BJX)". Aviation-safety.net. 2 September 1976. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  47. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 XA-DEN Chihuahua Airport (CUU)". Aviation-safety.net. 27 July 1981. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  48. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 XA-DEO Zihuatanejo". Aviation-safety.net. 8 November 1981. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 
  49. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N936ML Reynosa-Gen Lucio Blanco Airport (REX)". Aviation-safety.net. 6 October 2000. Retrieved 2012-10-06. 

External links[edit]

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