Aero California
| File:AeroCaliforniaLogo.png | |||||||
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| Founded | 1960[1] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Mexico City International Airport | ||||||
| Focus cities | Don Miguel Hidalgo Int'l Airport Gen. Abelardo L. R. Int'l Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 13 | ||||||
| Destinations | 17 | ||||||
| Parent company | privately held | ||||||
| Headquarters | La Paz, Mexico | ||||||
| Website | http://www.aerocalifornia.com.mx/ www.aerocalifornia.com.mx (OFFLINE) | ||||||
Aero California, S.A. de C.V. was an airline based in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its main base is in Manuel Márquez de León International Airport, La Paz[2]. The airline served 17 destinations in Mexico but has been officially grounded since July 2008 over unpaid ATC debts.
History
The airline started in 1960 as an air taxi company based at La Paz, Baja California Sur with the name of Servicios Aereos flying Cessna twins and Beechcraft 18.
By the early 1980s Douglas DC-3s were added to the fleet as domestic charters grew. Scheduled services began in June 1982 between La Paz, Tijuana and Hermosillo using Convair 340 aircraft and later DC9-15s. In 1989 the first international scheduled service was started between Los Angeles and La Paz, Loreto and Los Cabos. By 1995 the airline fleet was being upgraded to all-jet types with Douglas DC-9-14/15 jets and the longer Douglas DC-9-32s comprising the fleet.[citation needed]
On April 3, 2006, the Mexican federal Secretariat of Communications and Transport suspended all operations after the civil aviation authorities determined the airline was not complying with its safety standards. It was given 90 days to correct the problems and resumed services on August 11,2006, nevertheless, the Mexican authorities did not allow the airline to keep operating with older aircraft such as their DC-9-15 fleet[2]. After the shutdown the airline terminated its international service.
Aerocalifornia was suspended again by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Mexico on July 23, 2008, because of unpaid debts the airline has with airports with a sum of USD $25,900,000. The Ministry said they would allow the airline to fly again when the money is paid.
The next day, the Ministry stopped all AeroCalifornia operations as well as ExpressJet Airlines, but the latter had since paid its debt and resumed normal operations[3].
On August 2, 2008, it was reported that Aerocalifornia will cease operations permanently and will likely file for bankruptcy, however there has not been any official statement from the company. Its slots at Mexico City International Airport were taken by Interjet.
Aerocalifornia is not in an official bankruptcy, yet it is effectively out of business, due to lack of payment of airports ground and support services and not paying the Mexican Air Force Air traffic control taxes. The Ministry of Transportations of Mexico later allowed Interjet to buy Aerocalifornia's last two hubs at La Paz, Baja California Sur Manuel Márquez de León International Airport and Mexico City International Airport.
Fleet
Aero California had one of the oldest commercial fleets in Mexico, with a stunning average fleet age of 37.4 years.
- Retired fleet
- Aero Commander 500
- Beechcraft Queen Air
- Cessna 185
- Cessna 206
- Cessna 402
- Convair 340
- Douglas DC-3
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-14
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15
See also
References
- ^ Norwood, Tom (2002). North American Airlines Handbook (3rd ed.). Sandpoint, ID: Airways International. ISBN 0-9653993-8-9.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-03-27. p. 46.
- ^ "Mexico lifts ExpressJet flight ban, keeps Aero California grounded". Associated Press. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
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