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Mexicana de Aviación

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For other uses, see Mexicana (disambiguation).

Mexicana de Aviación
IATA ICAO Call sign
MX (now cancelled) MXA (now cancelled) MEXICANA (now cancelled)
Founded1921
Commenced operations1923
Ceased operations2010 (suspended indefinitely)
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programMexicana Go
AllianceStar Alliance (2000-2004) Oneworld (full member 2009-2010, currently an inactive member)
Fleet size130 with subsidiaries (most transferred)
Destinations80 (all terminated)
Parent companyMed Atlántica
HeadquartersMexicana de Aviación Tower
Mexico City, Mexico
Key peopleGerardo Badin (Conciliator/Administrator)
Websitemexicana.com (defunct)
Mexicana de Aviación Tower, the former worldwide headquarters of the airline

Founded in 1921, Compañía Mexicana de Aviación, S.A. de C.V. (commonly known as Mexicana) was Mexico's oldest airline and one of the oldest continuously single-branded airlines (after KLM, Avianca and QANTAS), and Mexico's biggest and flagship airline before ceasing operations on August 28, 2010. The group's closure was announced by the company's recently installed management team a short time after the group filed for Concurso Mercantil (Mexican law equivalent to US Chapter 11) and US Chapter 15. On April 4, 2014, a judge declared Mexicana bankrupt and ordered to start selling off the company's assets to repay the airline's obligations. The headquarters of the company were in the Mexicana de Aviación Tower in Colonia del Valle, Benito Juárez, Mexico City.[1]

In addition to domestic services, Mexicana operated flights to various international destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and Europe (until August 31). Their primary hub was Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport, with secondary hubs at Cancún International Airport, and Guadalajara's Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport.[2]

Mexicana's main competitors were Aeroméxico (although the two companies "codeshared" on several routes), and low-cost carriers such as Volaris and Interjet. Mexicana was North America's oldest airline and the world's fourth oldest airline operating under the same name, after the Netherlands' KLM, Colombia's Avianca and Australia's Qantas.

In 2009, the Mexicana group of airlines (including Mexicana Click and Mexicana Link) carried just over 11 million passengers (6.6 million on domestic routes and 4.5 million on international routes), using a fleet of some 110 aircraft.[3]

Over the three years prior to folding, the Mexicana group had increased their share of what was a burgeoning domestic market, from around 22% at the beginning of 2007 to somewhere between 28% and 30% for most of their final 12 months. This was achieved through downsizing mainline Mexicana operations whilst ramping up activities at Mexicana Click (originally envisaged as a low-cost carrier) and Mexicana Link (its CRJ-operating subsidiary based at Guadalajara).[3]

After first joining Star Alliance in 2000, Mexicana left the alliance in 2004 before joining Oneworld on November 10, 2009.[4] Mexicana entered bankruptcy protection in August 2010 in an attempt to restructure its business operations.[5] On August 27, 2010, Mexicana announced it would suspend operations indefinitely effective noon August 28, 2010.[6] Its subsidiaries Click and Link have since ceased their operations as well. On February 24, 2012, Mexicana Airlines announced for the first time in this Chapter 11 period that Med Atlantic bought the airline for $300 million.

Technically, Mexicana still operates to this day. [7] According to Begoña López, an official at Mexicana, all international flights not operated by flag-carrier AeroMexico, are still "flown" using Mexicana's AOC, but "operated" using another airline (e.g., Interjet, Volaris, etc.). [8] This is expected to stop once the U.S. and Mexico sign their open skies agreement. [9] [10] [11]

History

A Mexicana A319 landing at Vancouver International Airport
A Mexicana A320 at Veracruz International Airport
A Mexicana A320 at Mexico City International Airport

Formations: 1920s

William Lantie Mallory and George Rihl headed Compañía Mexicana de Aviación ("Mexican Aviation Company" or "Mexican Airline Company"), a competitor to CMTA; they acquired the latter's assets in 1924[12] and the company that emerged existed until 2010. In 1925 Sherman Fairchild purchased a 20% stake in the Mexican airline, introducing Fairchild FC2 airplanes in 1928. In February 1929, Juan Trippe of Pan Am took over the majority of the airline's stock, and the company opened its first international route, with service to the United States. Mexicana used the Ford Trimotor plane to operate the Mexico City-Tuxpan-Tampico-Brownsville, Texas, USA, route. Charles Lindbergh piloted the first flight on this route.

1930s

The 1930s saw route expansion and service improvements. Mexicana opened a route from Brownsville to Guatemala City, stopping over at Veracruz, Minatitlán, Ixtepec and Tapachula. In addition, new routes were opened to El Salvador, Costa Rica and Cuba, in addition to Nicaragua and Panama, made possible by their association with Pan Am via Pan Am's Miami base (Pan Am had undertaken flights from Mexico City to Miami.) Mexicana became the first foreign airline ever to fly to Los Angeles, when it began flights on January 3, 1936.[12] The company expanded its fleet during that decade, with the addition of eight Fairchild FC2s and three Fokker F.10s. One of the Fokker F.10's, tail number X-ABCR, crashed at Miami on August 7, 1931 but no other details are available.

1940s

The 1940s were primarily a period of domestic growth, although an international service began linking Mexico City and Havana. Routes were opened to Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, and Mérida. Additionally, a night flight to Los Angeles was established, which added to the company's night-time service to Mérida. Though Mexicana initially used Douglas DC-2s for these flights, over time they were replaced by larger aircraft, such as the Douglas DC-3s – known as El Palacio Aéreo (The Air Palace) for their luxury and comfort – and, later, Douglas DC-4s. The DC-4 allowed Mexicana to offer a non-stop service from Mexico City to Los Angeles. During the decade, Mexicana established a certified pilots' school in Mexico City.

1950s

The 1950s saw the airline's growth slow, though the fleet was modernized with the addition of Douglas DC-6s, and staff training improved with the opening of a flight attendant school. The DC-6s were put to work on the Mexico City to Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City to Oaxaca routes. Service to San Antonio, Texas began later in the decade.

1960s

In the 1960s four De Havilland Comet 4C jets were bought: one is currently being restored by the Seattle Museum of Flight. The Comets' arrival saw Mexicana join the jet age on July 4, 1960 with a flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles. Despite its use of advanced aircraft, competition was stiff, and by the late 1960s, the company faced bankruptcy. Amid the difficulties, the airline received its first Boeing 727-100. In 1967, the airline was serving six destinations in the U.S. including Corpus Christi, Dallas and San Antonio in Texas as well as Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, and was also flying internationally to Havana, Cuba and Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica.[13]

The financial situation brought about a change in the airline's administration and on January 15, 1968, Mexican Crescencio Ballesteros, took over as chairman.[12] Manuel Sosa de la Vega was appointed as President and CEO. The new management team's strategic plan soon saw the airline recover financially.

Despite its revival, 1969 was a difficult year for the airline as it lost two Boeing 727s. The first was in bad weather en route Mexico City to Monterrey; the second was flying between Chicago and Mexico City.[14]

1970s

Mexicana Boeing 727 departing from Miami International Airport in 1975.

In 1971, Mexicana started flights to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico – a route it would maintain for more than 25 years without interruption - (mainly from Mexico City, for a period the airline flew the routing San Juan-Mérida-Mexico City and vice versa[15]), and to Denver, Colorado. The jet fleet kept expanding and eventually consisted of 19 jets, the largest jet fleet in Latin America at the time. They also started a flight simulator service with a 727 simulator at their hub in Mexico City International Airport. By this time Mexicana had the largest fleet of 727s outside the USA.

1980s

A Mexicana Boeing 727 flying over a radar facility at Los Angeles International Airport in 1986

During the 1980s, Mexicana's growth was static. However, a few events touched the company. In 1981, three McDonnell Douglas DC-10-15s joined the company's fleet and began making their way through the airline's Caribbean routes. This was the first wide-body aircraft type Mexicana ever operated and was intended for use on high-density routes. In 1982, the Mexican government acquired 58% of the airline, before privatizing it in August 1989.[12][16] In 1984, construction of the company's new corporate headquarters on Xola Avenue, Mexico City finished – the resulting 30-story building was designed to resemble an air traffic control tower. In March 1986, a Boeing 727, Mexicana Flight 940, en route to Puerto Vallarta caught fire in-flight and crashed in the mountains of western Mexico, killing everyone on board. This is the most recent fatal accident involving a Mexicana aircraft.[17] In 1988, Aeronaves de Mexico (now operating as Aeromexico), Mexicana's closest rival, declared bankruptcy. Consequently, Mexicana took over some of Aeromexico's longer flights during the 1990s, including flights to Canada and South America.

1990s

The 1990s brought a series of changes. At the beginning of the decade in 1990, Mexicana was serving fourteen destinations in the U.S. including Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, CA, Seattle and Tampa as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico with additional international service to Guatemala City, Guatemala; Havana, Cuba and San Jose, Costa Rica.[18] Deregulation of the Mexican airline industry brought new competitors such as LaTur, SARO and TAESA. Seeking to remain competitive, the airline updated their fleet with European-built Airbus A320s in 1991 and Dutch Fokker F100s in 1992. In 1993, a reorganized Aeroméxico took over as the company struggled financially. During the mid-1990s, the Mexican economy was hard-hit by the devaluation of the Mexican peso and Mexicana, Aeroméxico, and their regional affiliates were nationalized when their parent company, CINTRA (Corporación Internacional de Transporte Aereo), was taken over by the government. The airlines remained in their merged state until 2005. As happened in 1967, a new management team was hired, this time headed by President and CEO, Fernando Flores. The company was reorganized and rationalized, with a new emphasis placed on international service. Unprofitable routes were cut and the DC-10s were retired. The airline ventured deep into South America by adding flights to Lima, Peru, Santiago de Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina and further into North America, adding flights to Montreal, Canada. To operate these new and longer routes, the airline leased Boeing 757-200s. Another aspect of this reorganization involved the creation of alliances. Mexicana was part of regional alliances LatinPass and Alas de America, and they later formed an alliance with United Airlines. This latter alliance brought Mexicana into the network of global alliances, as it eventually led the airline into the Star Alliance. Recognizing the usefulness and importance of the Internet, the airline launched a website and eventually included a reservation center. Also around this time, Mexicana adopted a new color scheme, with assorted colors on the tails of their planes.

1995–2005

In 1995, Mexicana was merged with AeroMéxico as a part of CINTRA (the two airlines kept operating under their respective brand names). In 1996, the assorted color scheme was dropped in favor of green tails with white on the majority of the plane and the word "Mexicana" in black letters. In the 2000s Mexicana continued to grow. They celebrated their 80th anniversary in July 2001, just before the terrorist attacks of September 11 sent worldwide aviation into a tailspin. Nevertheless, the airline continued to evolve. It officially joined the Star Alliance in 2000 amid much fanfare, only to exit in March 2004 in response to rapidly changing market conditions related to United Airlines bankruptcy, and the aftershocks of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. CEO Emilio Romano stated in the airline's in-flight magazine VUELO that the airline left the alliance to pursue more effective code-sharing relationships with other airlines. Simultaneously, the airline created an alliance with American Airlines and several Oneworld Alliance partners leading some to speculate whether the airline would join that alliance. Nevertheless, it also maintained ties to some of its former Star Alliance partners, such as Lufthansa. In 2003, the airline retired their last Boeing 727-200 after operating the type for almost 40 years. These aircraft were replaced with newer A320s, A319s and A318s. Once an important Boeing Company operator, Mexicana transformed into an important Airbus Industrie airline, although it still operated one Boeing aircraft. The airline's long haul operations were conducted by Boeing 767s, introduced in December 2003

2005

2005 was an important year as the airline was sold and several low cost carriers were established in Mexico. Mexicana rebranded its regional subsidiary, Aerocaribe, as "Click Mexicana" and promotes it as a low cost carrier. This is part of the company's plan to remain competitive as the aviation industry changes and competition intensifies. Another component includes increasing international presence. Also, the color scheme was changed again to a dark blue tail and blue lettering on a white background.

Sale

Despite government announcements indicating that the airlines were going to be privatized, that move did not occur until November 29, 2005, when CINTRA sold Mexicana and its subsidiary, Click Mexicana, to the Mexican hotel chain Grupo Posadas for US$165.5 million. The road to privatization was long and winding. The government reversed its course on several occasions. At times, they proposed to sell Mexicana and AeroMéxico separately; other times, they proposed to sell them together to increase the bid price. They also proposed to sell the companies merged, but separate from their regional affiliates to increase competition. Several companies expressed interest in purchasing one or both of the airlines. For example, Iberia Airlines of Spain announced plans to buy part of both Mexicana and Aeroméxico. However Mexicana's owners rejected the offer possibly[dubious – discuss] because another Iberia-owned Latin-American airline, Viasa of Venezuela, had gone bankrupt under Iberia's ownership. Further, Aerolíneas Argentinas had previously rejected a similar offer by Iberia.

2006–2007

Mexicana logo used from 1991 to 2008

On July 12, 2006 Mexicana announced that it intended to begin service to several new destinations in the United States including Detroit and Charlotte. It intended to return to Puerto Rico, but the service came back only as a charter operation. It was also negotiating with Arkansas officials to begin service to Little Rock National Airport. Mexicana was named "Best Airline in Latin America" in 2006 and "Best Business in Central and Latin America".[citation needed]

2008

On April 9, 2008, Oneworld invited Mexicana to join the alliance and the airline was expected to join the alliance on November 11, 2009, together with its two subsidiaries MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink, thus adding 26 destinations to the network.[19] Iberia was the sponsor of Mexicana's invitation into the Oneworld alliance. Mexicana was to compete with SkyTeam members Aeroméxico and Copa Airlines (which later left SkyTeam, possibly to join Star Alliance because of Continental Airlines' move to that alliance) and Star Alliance potential member TACA and member TAM for service between the US and Europe and Latin America. Mexicana was to start new flights to the US, Europe and Brazil to better leverage its position.

In October 2008, Mexicana announced three new destinations, London (Gatwick), São Paulo (Brazil) and Orlando (U.S.). Service commenced December 8 for São Paulo (GRU) and Orlando (MCO), followed by London (LGW) on January 9. With this service expansion, Mexicana became the second Mexican airline with service to Europe and Brazil (Aeromexico has long established service to Paris, Madrid, Rome and Barcelona in Europe, and São Paulo in Brazil), and first with service to the United Kingdom. The Orlando route was operated with a medium range Airbus 320, London and São Paulo were operated with 2 leased Boeing 767-200ER. In addition, Mexicana announced a Mexico City to Madrid route to compete with Aeromexico and compliment its partner's (Iberia) existing service. Mexicana announced that it will begin service to Madrid beginning in Feb/09 through the acquisition of 2 Airbus A330-200 not taken by XL due to bankruptcy. These aircraft types are well suited for medium-density, long-range travel. The company also unveiled the new colorful livery on November 27, along with "Mexicana Click" brand-new name for Click Mexicana.

2009

On February 4, 2009, Mexicana won a concession to operate a new feeder airline to complement the routes currently covered by Mexicana and Mexicana Click.[20] The new airline was to be called MexicanaLink and operate in low-density routes to feed mainline operations from Guadalajara's airport. The airline flew Canadair CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft.

Also in February 2009, Mexicana applied to the US Department of Transportation to initiate daily, non-stop service between Guadalajara, Jalisco and New York utilizing either an Airbus A319 or the larger Airbus A320.[21] On February 25 Mexicana joined the Airbus MRO network evaluating the Airbus A350.

2010

Mexicana filed for Commercial concurs (Mexican law equivalent to US Chapter 11) and US Chapter 15 on August 3, 2010 in both the U.S. and Mexico, following labor union disputes; a debt of US$125 million was reported.On August 5, 2010, Mexicana filed a motion to the Superior Court of Quebec (Commercial Division) of the District of Montreal to obtain the recognition of foreign proceedings regarding Section 46 and following of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”).[22] Subsequently, the airline scaled back its operations, suspending ticket sales and announcing termination of selected routes.[23] In early August 2010, the airline offered pilots and flight attendants a stake in the business in exchange for new labor terms.[24] On August 24, a Mexican consortium called Tenedora K announced that it had bought 95% of Nuevo Grupo Aeronáutico; pilots would hold the other 5%.[25]

After 89 years of service, Mexicana suspended all operations at noon CDT on August 28, 2010[citation needed]. Aeroméxico offered discounted tickets to passengers stranded by Mexicana's suspension of operations.[26] American Airlines and American Eagle Airlines also offered assistance,[27] providing help to passengers between the 48 contiguous U.S. states and Mexico.[28]

Return to service

2010

In November 2010, PC Capital SAPI, a Mexican private-equity firm, offered unions and other creditors a 1.9 billion peso ($155 million) proposal to rescue the bankrupt airline.[29] The offer included giving unions 975 million pesos in cash and arrangement of a seven-year, 926 million peso loan paying monthly interest to the workers. The unions would have received an equity stake in exchange for the remaining 2.85 billion pesos Mexicana owes them.[30]

The proposal would have seen the airline return with 28 planes, flying 17 international routes to the U.S. and Central America and seven domestic services. Creditors including Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB and Mexican development bank Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior SNC viewed the proposal favorably, as did the government.[31]

The proposal had Government support, with Mexico's government hopeful that the grounding would have been resolved in time for the December travel season, when millions of local and foreign tourists will flock to resorts such as Cancun for holidays. "Our goal must be that Mexicana returns to the skies by the December high season," Labor Minister Javier Lozano said at a press conference.[32]

2011

Mexicana planned to restart services in 2011,[33] operating 11 routes[34] with 7 leased aircraft.[33] Many of its domestic destinations were taken over by its former partner, Aeromar, VivaAerobus, and its low-cost competitor, Volaris. On March 4, PC Capital announced that it withdrew from the process leaving Mexicana and the Mexican government without a viable option. Mexicana then announced a plan to offer only charter flights.[35]

On November 11, the Mexican government announced that Iván Barona would invest 400 million dollars in Mexicana Airlines.[36] Barona stated that Mexicana would resume operations in December 2011, with an aggressive business plan to regain all the territory lost, beginning with 9 Airbus A320s, and increasing the fleet size to 100 airplanes in 18 months.[37] Barona failed to meet the conditions of the transaction, including a November 15 deadline, and the plan was terminated by the bankruptcy trustee.[38]

2012

A Mexican Judge declared that Mexicana was bought by Grupo Med Atlantica and has announced it may resume operations in 2012. On May 11, 2012, all the shares were transferred from Tenedora K to Med Atlantica. Christian Cardenas and the Spanish Company Med Atlantica are now currently pending for an Operation Certificate to restart operations soon. Med Atlantic will invest $300 million to restart the airline with seven aircraft and a payroll of 2,000 workers. The company was formerly in a first operational phase and would have begun with 11 routes which meet at airports: Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara and Monterrey .[39] Med Atlantica was declared out of the process because Christian Cadenas (Med Atlantic representative) failed to cash in the resources needed for a possible restart of the company. In December, Mexicana Airlines had 3 possible investors, Iván Barona owner of a mining group in Mexico, Grupo Fides Gestión Financiera an investment group from Monterrey and an unknown investor. Ivan Barona had until December 29 to invest 100 million dollars to Mexicana Airlines. After he failed to invest money, Grupo Fides has the opportunity to prove the group has the intention to buy Mexicana Airlines.

2013-2016

As of 2013, Med Atlantic and Grupo Fides are still trying to invest money in Mexicana Airlines.[40]

On Friday April 4, 2014 Federal Judiciary Council announced that a judge declared the end of the bankruptcy proceedings due to a lack of credible investors.[41]

In 2015, many of Mexicana's former oneworld partners signed codeshare agreements with Interjet, one of Mexicana's ex-main rivals. The alliance has stated that it's interested in recruiting a new airline from Mexico. [42] This would fill in the void left by Mexicana in 2010. Mexicana is still listed as an inactive member of the alliance as of 2016.

Mexicana Airlines alleged fraud

When Mexicana Airlines announced the flight cuts and possible filling for bankruptcy the Gastón Azácarraga administration said to be the result of the high labor cost (pilots, flight attendants etc.).[43] In a fast move Gastón Azácarraga left the company, leaving the employees to deal with a new administration (Tenedora K). This new entity was unknown and with no resources to restart the company. Until then Gastón Azácarraga administration has been subject to criticism. It is also evident that the Mexican government did not support the airline in its Chapter 11 process (concurso mercantil) as they did with Cemex and Comercial Mexicana Chapter 11 process.

On December 21 a Supreme Court Judge ordered the detention of Mexicana's former CEO Manuel Borja Chico for a 54,500,000 Mexican pesos tax evasion under his administration. The new administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto has declared that the government will investigate the Mexicana Airlines bankruptcy and will find those responsible, in parallel with restructuring the airline. On February 19, 2014 Mexico's attorney general's office asked a federal judge to issue an arrest warrant for former owner and president Gaston Azcarraga Andrade, in connection with suspected money laundering while he ran Mexicana.[44]

Subsidiaries

In 2005 Aerocaribe was renamed Click Mexicana and replaced its fleet of McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30s with Fokker 100 twin jet aircraft. Click was a wholly owned subsidiary of Mexicana de Aviacion.

Mexicana used Click as a low-cost airline to counter low-cost competitors such as Aviacsa, Interjet, A Volar and Volaris. Mexicana employed Click as a domestic feeder line on lower-passenger routes and times, while Mexicana focused on international and longer domestic routes. Mexicana considered adding the Airbus A319 to Click's fleet to serve destinations in Central America and the Caribbean. Click had 22 Fokker 100 jets in an all economy-plus layout. The cabin had grey, leather seats with a 35° pitch and a Click logo on the headrests. In 2008 Mexicana and Click were invited to the Oneworld alliance at the member and member affiliate level, respectively.

Mexicana rebranded Click Mexicana as MexicanaClick with the announcement of the new corporate livery late-November 2008. MexicanaClick highlighted the Mexicana linkage.

Mexicana said it signed an agreement in March 2009 with Boeing to lease 25 Boeing 717-200 jetliners to be operated by MexicanaClick. The B717s were planned to replace the Fokker F-100 aircraft being flown by MexicanaClick. Sixteen of the B717s had been previously operated by Midwest Airlines. Terms of the lease weren’t disclosed.

Other

Former subsidiaries

Destinations

Main article: Mexicana destinations

Codeshare agreements

In addition to its subsidiaries, MexicanaClick, MexicanaLink, and Oneworld partners, Mexicana codeshared with the following airlines:[45]

Fleet

The Mexicana fleet consisted of the following aircraft (at the time of shut-down):

Mexicana Fleet
Type Total Orders Options Passengers
(Elite/Coach) 		Routes Notes
Airbus A318-111 10 100 (12/88) Short / Medium haul
Canada, Central America, Mexico, South America and the United States 		All aircraft are in service with Avianca.
Airbus A319-100 25 9 120 (12/108) Medium haul
Canada, Central America, Mexico, South America and the United States 		5 aircraft were transferred to Avianca, rest transferred to various operators.
Airbus A320-200 26 4 150 (12/138) Medium haul
Cuba, Mexico, South America and the United States 		3 aircraft were transferred to Interjet. Others transferred to other airlines or scrapped. 9 currently stored in Mexico City. [47]
Airbus A330-200 2 211 (48/163) Long haul
Spain 		All aircraft are in service with Air Transat.
Boeing 767-200ER 2 156 (40/116) Long haul
Brazil, United Kingdom 		All planes were transferred to Aeromexico.
Boeing 767-300ER 3 169 (42/127) Long haul
Argentina 		2 planes are in service with SBA Airlines, 1 plane transferred to Aerosvit Airlines, later scrapped.
Mexicana Airbus A318.
A Mexicana Boeing 767 is taking off from Mexico City International Airport.

Fleet entrance years

Corporate image

Advertising slogans

Mexicana de Aviacion used the following slogans:

  • 1960s-mid-1970s "Es Mexico... con alas (Mexico... with wings)"
  • Early 1970s-1973 "The airline that knows Mexico since 1924"
  • Late 1970s-early 1980s "Mas alas para Mexico (More wings for Mexico)"
  • Early 1980s "Primera linea aerea de Latinoamerica (First airline in Latin America)"
  • Mid-1980s "We've got more going for you" [48]
  • Mid-1990s "Navegar es volar (Sailing is flying)"
  • 2000s "El placer de volar sin limites (The pleasure of flying without limits)"
  • 2003-2005 "With the most modern fleet in the world"
  • 2004-2006 "La primera siempre sera la primera" (The first will always be the first)
  • 2006-2007 "Nobody knows Mexico like Mexicana"
  • 2008-2010 "Vuela en lo mas alto" (Fly in the highest)
  • 2011-2012 "Vuelve a Volar" (Fly again) [this was when Mexicana was planned to resume operations, but never did]

Livery

A Mexicana Airbus A330-200 in new livery taxiing at Cancún International Airport, Mexico.

Mexicana introduced new livery in the second half of 2008. It consists of a "eurowhite" fuselage with the front in marine blue outlining a stylized eagle. The tail features the same eagle in marine blue with a light-blue background. The new graphic design is the work of Danish design agency Design:Success and Kristofer Matti, Peter Danroth & Gabriel Martínez Meave, a renowned Mexican designer who has received several international awards, most recent of them from the Type Directors Club.

Services

Cabin

Elite Class

Mexicana offered "Clase Elite", or business class, on all flights. Warm meals were served on all domestic and international flights longer than 40 minutes. Passengers also received snacks throughout the flight, selection of meals, and refreshments. The seats on the Boeing 767-300ER were 23 inches across and recline 160°; while seats on the Airbus 320 were 22 inches across and recline approx 100° degrees. The seats were dark blue with small Aztec logos embossed on the seat with a white headrest cover displaying Mexicana's logo in black.

  • Airbus A318/A319/A320
    • Seats with adjustable headrests and electrical controls.
    • Portable entertainment units with AVOD.
    • Airline magazines Vuelo and Elite.
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.
    • 10 Music channels and complimentary headphones.
  • Boeing 767–300
    • Recliner seats with adjustable headrests, lowerback support, adjustable footrest, and electrical controls.
    • Portable entertainment units with AVOD.
    • Exclusive Hermès Clase Elite kit of amenities on flights to Europe and to South America
    • Airline magazines Vuelo and Elite.
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.
    • 10 Music channels and complimentary headphones.
  • Airbus A330/Boeing 767–200
    • Electric bed-seats with 3.5 feet of separation between rows.
    • Entertainment units with AVOD.
    • Amenity Kit on flights to Europe and to South America.
    • Airline magazines Vuelo and Elite.
    • Tourist Class with personal TV
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.

Economy Class

  • Airbus A318/A319/A320
    • Airline magazine Vuelo.
    • Duty Free catalogue on select international flights.
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.
    • 10 Music channels and complimentary headphones.
    • Visual entertainment provided through overhead-compartment-screens.
  • Boeing 767-200/300
    • Personal kit of amenities.
    • Airline magazine Vuelo.
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.
    • 10 Music channels and complimentary headphones.
    • Visual entertainment provided through overhead-compartment-screens.
  • Airbus A330
    • Personal kit of amenities.
    • Airline magazine Vuelo.
    • Complimentary newspapers on flights departing from hubs and focus cities.
    • 10 Music channels and complimentary headphones.
    • AVOD (Audio & Video On-Demand) displayed through personal screens

MexicanaGo

MexicanaGo [49](formerly frecuenta[50]) was the frequent-flyer program of Mexicana from the late 1990s until August 28, 2010 when Mexicana suspended operations.

Mexicana Elite Lounge

Mexicana had lounges in the following airports:

Mexico

International

Accidents and incidents

Up to 2011, Mexicana had been involved in a total of 26 incidents, including nine fatal.[51]

On June 4, 1969, Flight 704 crashed near Salinas Victoria; some 20 miles north of the city of Monterrey. All 79 people on board were killed, including Mexican tennis star Rafael Osuna.[52] The aircraft was a Boeing 727–64, with tail number XA-SEL, and was approaching Monterrey's airport. It had made a continuous descent in the last 5 minutes before impact. The pilot turned left instead of right once the aircraft passed over the Monterrey VOR, apparently not knowing his exact position at the time.[53][54]

On September 21, 1969, another Mexicana Boeing 727–64, with tail number XA-SEJ, crashed short of the runway 23L at Mexico City International Airport. Of the 118 people on board, 27 died. The aircraft had been cleared for an ILS approach when it suddenly lost altitude and hit the ground. After becoming airborne once again, the plane crashed into a railway embankment. At the time of the impact, the aircraft was in a normal landing configuration. Since the flight data recorder had been installed improperly two days before and there was no cockpit voice recorder, the cause of the crash couldn't be established.[55]

On March 31, 1986, Flight 940 crashed in Las Mesas; near Maravatio, Michoacan. All 167 people on board the Boeing 727–264 were killed, making it the deadliest plane crash in the country's history and the deadliest ever to have involved this type of aircraft. The left main gear brake was overheated during the take-off run. After reaching an altitude of 31,000 feet, a tire in the left main landing gear burst and crippled the plane's controls, causing an in-flight fire and an explosive decompression in the process. It was found that the tire had been filled with air rather than nitrogen, leading to a chemical explosion within the tire itself.[53][56]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mexican Aviation Tower." Mexico City Official Website. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. April 10, 2007. p. 50.
  3. ^ a b "Mexicana's uncertain future: Big network shake-up posed by possible removal of biggest player; 30% of domestic market and 20% of US-Mexico market up for grabs". anna.aero.
  4. ^ Nasdaq.com. Nasdaq.com.
  5. ^ "Mexicana sinks into restructuring". Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  6. ^ Mozee, Carla (August 27, 2010). "Airline Mexicana to suspend operations indefinitely". MarketWatch. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  7. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2014/04/07/court-thwarts-effort-to-revive-mexicana-airline/7404507/
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3C_iHYBCNI
  9. ^ http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/us-attack-on-gulf-airlines-may-prove-a-tragic-miscalculation-by-delta--partners-as-mexico-rebels-246155
  10. ^ http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/pub/pdf/14AirServiceAgreements.pdf
  11. ^ https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-what-future-awaits-a-revived-mexicana-373219/
  12. ^ a b c d Flight International April 12–18, 2005
  13. ^ http://www.timetableimage.com, Oct. 31, 1967 Mexicana system timetable
  14. ^ http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi-bin/airline_detail.cgi?airline=Mexicana+Airlines
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ "Mexico to sell Mexicana Airline," Houston Chronicle, May 24, 1989.
  17. ^ "166 Killed In Jet Crash". Chicago Tribune. April 1, 1986.
  18. ^ http://www.departedflights.com, Sept.1, 1990 Mexicana route map
  19. ^ "Mexicana to become part of oneworld on 10 November" (Press release). Oneworld. September 21, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  20. ^ Grupo Mexicana was granted a concession for a new airline. Mexicana.com.
  21. ^ Mexicana ultimately decided to extend the existing flight from JFK to Monterrey, Mexico to Guadalajara.Compania Mexicana de Aviacion, S.A. de C.V. – Exemption – Guadalajara-New York
  22. ^ Kary, Tiffany (November 8, 2010). "Mexicana de Aviacion Files for Bankruptcy in Mexico". Bloomberg.
  23. ^ Grupo Mexicana Informa – Home. Cmainforma.com.
  24. ^ Roeder, Jonathan (August 10, 2010). "Mexicana Offers Unions a Stake in Holding Company as Part of New Contract". Bloomberg.
  25. ^ "Mexican consortium attempting Mexicana rescue | ATW Online". August 24, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  26. ^ "Aeromexico Informs." Aeroméxico. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  27. ^ "American Airlines and American Eagle help customers affected by Mexicana airlines service suspension." American Airlines. August 30, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  28. ^ "Puerto Vallarta Bridge And Mexicana Travel Policies." American Airlines. September 1, 2010.
  29. ^ Mexico TODAY. "Mexicana unions, creditors get $155 million bid to save company". Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  30. ^ Bloomberg. "Mexicana Wins Legal Shield to Aid Mexican Bankruptcy". Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  31. ^ Harrison, Crayton (November 10, 2010). "Mexicana Unions Get $155 Million Bid to Save Company". Bloomberg. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  32. ^ http://global.abi.org/. "Mexican Government wants Mexicana Flying Again". Retrieved November 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  33. ^ a b Mexicana Plans Feb. 14 Return To Revenue Service. Aviationweek.com (January 26, 2011).
  34. ^ "Mexicana Airline To Resume Flights 'Soon' With Seven Planes". The Wall Street Journal. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on January 28, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ [2] Archived 2015-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Firman acuerdo formal para capitalizar Mexicana de Aviación. Noticierostelevisa.esmas.com (November 11, 2011).
  37. ^ Inicio de operaciones Mexicana con 9 aviones: Barona. Con Ciro Gómez Leyva. Radioformula.com.mx.
  38. ^ [3]
  39. ^ Mexicana De Aviacion Fue Acquirida Por El Grupo Hotelero Med Atlantica Y Se Disponen A Volver A Retomar La Aerolinea. Aplenovuelo.com.
  40. ^ http://www.americaeconomia.com/negocios-industrias/surge-un-nuevo-conflicto-para-mexicana-de-aviacion
  41. ^ "Mexico ends bid to revive Mexicana airline" (Archive) Associated Press at Yahoo! News. April 5, 2014. Retrieved on April 7, 2014.
  42. ^ http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/mexicos-airlines-review-part-2-is-interjet-emerging-as-mexicos-true-hybrid-carrier-156518
  43. ^ Aprueban concurso mercantil de Mexicana – Negocios. CNNExpansion.com (August 5, 2010).
  44. ^ Reuters. February 20, 2014 http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/mexico-airline-arrest-idUSL2N0LP0KF20140220. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ^ Information – Alliances. Mexicana.com.
  46. ^ [4] Archived 2014-09-04 at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Mexicana?p=2
  48. ^ http://www.departedflights.com/MXmorepeople85.html
  49. ^ http://200.57.178.227/en
  50. ^ http://200.57.178.227/en/pagina/0-fcta-index
  51. ^ "ASN Mexicana Aircraft Occurrences". AviationSafety.net.
  52. ^ "Famous people who died in aviation accidents – 1960s". PlaneCrashInfo.com.
  53. ^ a b Gero, David (1993). Aviation Disasters: The World's Major Civil Airliner Crashes Since 1950. Patrick Stephens Limited. ISBN 1-85260-379-8.
  54. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727–64 XA-SEL Monterrey-Gen. Mariano Escobedo Airport". AviationSafety.net.
  55. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727–64 XA-SEJ Mexico City-Juarez International Airport". AviationSafety.net.
  56. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 727–264 XA-MEM las Mesas". AviationSafety.net.
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