Mexicana de Aviación
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mexicana | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| IATA MX |
ICAO MXA |
Callsign MEXICANA |
| Founded | 1921 | |
| Hubs | ||
| Focus cities | ||
| Frequent flyer program | Frecuenta | |
| Member lounge | Salón Ejecutivo | |
| Alliance | Oneworld member elect, former Star Alliance member | |
| Fleet size | 64 | |
| Destinations | 42 | |
| Parent company | Grupo Posadas | |
| Headquarters | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Key people | Manuel Borja Chico (CEO) | |
| Website: http://www.mexicana.com | ||
Compañía Mexicana de Aviación (commonly known as Mexicana) was the first airline established in Mexico and has been the country's national airline since 1924.[1] Today, in addition to domestic services, it is the country's second largest international airline after Aeromexico, operating services to North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. Its principal hub is Mexico City International Airport, with secondary hubs at Cancún International Airport and Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport, Guadalajara.[2]
Mexicana's main competitor is Aeroméxico, although the two companies formerly "code-shared" on several routes and were merged for more than a decade. It is the world's fourth oldest airline, after the Netherland's KLM, Colombia's Avianca, and Australia's Qantas.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] History
The "Mexicana" brand name was established on July 12, 1921, by American residents in Mexico L.A. Winship and Harry J. Lawson when the Compañía Mexicana de Transportación Aérea, S.A. (roughly "Mexican Air Transport Company" in English), (CMTA) was awarded the Mexico City to Tampico route by the Mexican government. The purpose was to transport wages to the oil fields near Tampico, on the Gulf of Mexico. Mexicana's first aircraft type was the Lincoln Standard, a two-seat biplane, starting operations with two airplanes of the type. The 1920s were groundbreaking times for the airline, with air mail service being established and other services like aerial photography being undertaken.
William Mallory and George Rihl headed Compania Mexicana de Aviacion ("Mexican Aviation Company" or "Mexican Airline Company"), a competitor to CMTA; they acquired the latter's assets in 1924[3] and the company that emerged is the one that exists to this day. 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.
[edit] 1930s
The 1930s saw route expansion and service improvement. Mexicana opened a route from Brownsville to Guatemala City, stopping over at Veracruz, Minatitlán, Ixtepec and Tapachula. In addition, flights were started to El Salvador, Costa Rica and Cuba, and the association with Pan Am gave them access to Nicaragua and Panama too, through Pan Am's Miami base. (Pan Am had undertaken flights from Mexico City to Miami.) Mexicana also became then the first foreign airline ever to fly to Los Angeles when it began flights on 3 January 1936.[3] The fleet expanded during that decade, as eight Fairchild FC2s and three Fokker F10s were incorporated.
[edit] 1940s
The 1940s were primarily a period of domestic growth, although service was established from Mexico City to Havana. Routes were opened to Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, and Mérida. Additionally, a night flight to Los Angeles was established. The Mérida flights also operated at night. Mexicana initially used Douglas DC-2s for these flights but, as time went on, larger aircraft, such as the Douglas DC-3s, were acquired and, later, Douglas DC-4s. The DC-3s were known as El Palacio Aéreo (The Air Palace) for their luxury and comfort. The DC-4 allowed Mexicana to offer non-stop service on the Mexico City to Los Angeles route. By this decade, Mexicana was able to create a certified pilots' school in Mexico City.
[edit] 1950s
The 1950s saw the airline's growth slow, but Douglas DC-6s were welcomed to the fleet, and a flight attendant school was opened. 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 was initiated later in the decade.
[edit] 1960s
In the 1960s, four De Havilland Comets were bought and Mexicana entered the jet age on July 4, 1960 with the first jet service between Mexico City and Los Angeles. At this point, Mexicana was still a Pan American Airways subsidiary and these Comets were intended to replace Pan American's Boeing 707s should this type not fulfill the expectations of Pan American's owner, Juan Trippe. Despite its use of technologically advanced aircraft types, competition was stiff. By the late 1960s, the company faced bankruptcy. Amidst the difficulties, the airline received its first Boeing 727.
The difficult times brought about a change in the airline's administration and on 15 January 1968, Mexican Crescencio Ballesteros, took over as chairman.[3] Manuel Sosa de la Vega was appointed as President and CEO. The new administration implemented strategic plans and the airline was able to recover from its economic problems soon after.
Despite its economic revival, 1969 was a difficult year for the airline as it lost two Boeing 727 jets in air crashes. The first occurred in bad weather on a flight from Mexico City to Monterrey. The second occurred on an international flight between Chicago and Mexico City.
[edit] 1970s
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, 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.
[edit] 1980s
During the 1980s, Mexicana's growth was static. However, a few events touched the company. In 1981, three DC-10-15s were received 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 and re-privatized it in August 1989.[3][4] In 1984, construction was completed on the company's new corporate headquarters, a building 30 stories tall meant to resemble an air traffic control tower, on Xola Avenue in Mexico City. In March 1986, tragedy struck, as a Boeing 727, Mexicana Flight 940, en route to Puerto Vallarta suddenly caught fire and crashed onto the mountains of western Mexico, killing everyone on board. This is the most recent fatal accident involving a Mexicana aircraft. In 1988, Aeronaves de Mexico (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.
[edit] 1990s
For Mexicana, the 1990s kept bringing changes. The Mexican airline industry was deregulated, which allowed new competitors to form. Seeking to remain competitive and modern, the airline incorporated 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, AeroMexico, and their regional affiliates were nationalized when their parent company, CINTRA (Corporacion Internacional de Aviacion), was taken over by the government. The airlines remained in their merged state until 2005. As 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 757s, a medium-sized jet that is more modern and smaller than the DC-10 and better suited to the airline's needs at the time. Another aspect of this reorganization involved the creation of alliances. It was part of the regional alliances, LatinPass and Alas de America, and 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 meant to promote its service and eventually included a reservation center, allowing potential passengers another option for purchasing tickets.
[edit] 2000s
In the 2000s, Mexicana has continued to grow. It celebrated its 80th anniversary in July 2001, just before the terrorist attacks of September 11 sent worldwide aviation into a tailspin. Nevertheless, the airline continues to evolve. It officially joined the Star Alliance in 2000 amid much fanfare, only to exit in March 2004. The current CEO, Emilio Romano, has stated in the airline's inflight 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 partner leading some to speculate whether the airline will join that alliance. Nevertheless, it has maintained ties to some of its former Star Alliance partners, such as Lufthansa. In 2003, the airline retired the Boeing 727 after operating the type for almost 40 years. These aircraft were replaced with newer A320, A319, and A318 types. Thus, the airline, once an important Boeing Company operator, is now an important Airbus Industry airline, although it still operates some Boeing types. Notably, the airline's long haul operations are partly conducted by Boeing 757s and Boeing 767s, the latter type introduced in December 2003, although fleet renewal plans may see long haul operations taken over by Airbus types and the Boeing 757s are being phased out of the fleet.
[edit] 1995-2005
From 1995 to 2005, Mexicana was merged with AeroMéxico as a part of CINTRA. 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 USD$165.5 million. The road to privatization was long and winding. The government reversed its course on several occasions. At times, it proposed to sell Mexicana and AeroMéxico separately; other times, it proposed to sell them together to increase the bid price. It 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 it had plans to buy part of both Mexicana and Aeroméxico. However Mexicana's owners rejected the offer possibly 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.
[edit] 2005
2005 was an important year for Mexican aviation as several low cost carriers were established in Mexico to compete with AeroMéxico and Mexicana. For its part, 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 of this plan includes increasing its internationl presence.
[edit] 2006-2007
On July 12, 2006, Mexicana announced that it intends to open new routes to the United States to Seattle, Ontario, Detroit, Charlotte, and Puerto Rico; it is also negotiating with Arkansas officials to serve Little Rock. Of greater interest, perhaps, the airline is studying the possibility of opening flights to Shanghai, China in 2009. Should the airline undertake this challenge, it would mark an important achievement in its 85 year history. It is also planning to fly to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok by 2010. Mexicana is named as the best airline Latin America in 2006 and the best business in Central and Latin America.
[edit] 2008
Mexicana is currently planning on launching flights to Rio De Janeiro with a third 767-300ER, and is also analyzing the Airbus A340-300 to launch flights to Madrid, Spain and other European destinations. The airline was invited to join Oneworld on April 9, 2008, and is expected to join in 2009 with its sudsidiary Click Mexicana, adding 26 destinations to the alliance with Iberia helping Mexicana achieve its goals to OneWorld. Mexicana will also compete with SkyTeam members like AeroMexico and Copa Airlines. In the Mexicana Hanger in Mexico City two of the first 767-200s are waiting for delivery for Mexicana including its third 767-300ER. Mexicana is planning to launch its Mexico City to São Paulo and possibly a new destination to Europe. Santander Serfin, a Mexican bank, invested over 400 million dollars to Mexicana for new destinations in Holland, France, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom. It is currently adquiring 5 Boeing 767 300 for those routes. The airline is wholly owned by Grupo Posadas and it has 7,874 employees (at June 2007).[2]
[edit] Sudsidiaries
- Click Mexicana
- MRO Services
[edit] Former subsidiaries
- Aerocaribe
- Mexicana Cargo
- Aeromonterrey
[edit] Click Mexicana
In 2005 Aerocaribe was renamed to Click Mexicana, changing all of its fleet from DC-9s to Fokker 100 aircraft which were given to Click by Mexicana. Click Mexicana is Mexico's first low-cost airline. Mexicana decided to use Click Mexicana in charge of most of the domestic operations while Mexicana is in charge of all the international routs. Click mostly flies in the Yucatan penensula and the northern part of Mexico and it only has one international destination to Havana, Cuba. Mexicana is studying the possibility of Click Mexicana receiving A319 aircraft to expand into Central America and the Caribbean. Click Mexicana currently has 18 F100 aircrafts in a all economy-plus layout. The seat onboard are all leather grey with the Click logo in the headrest. The seat pitch is 35". In 2008 Mexicana and Click Mexicana were invited to be the net Oneworld member in 2009.
[edit] Catering
Catering for Mexicana is done by LSG Sky Chefs and AeroCocina.
[edit] Livery
In order to cut costs, Mexicana introduced a new livery in the second half of 2005. It consists of the old fuselage colors, but new colors and design for the tail, fin, and engines. The tail is now dark blue with the company's eagle logo outlined and cut-off in white. The engine cowlings are the same color and feature the company's website.
[edit] Cabin
[edit] Clase Ejecutiva
Mexicana offers "Clase Ejecutiva" on all flights. Warm meals are served on all domestic and international flights. Passengers also receive snacks throughout the flight and a large selection of warm meals on flights lasting more than 40 min. Drinks are offered before take-off and landing. The seats on the Boeing 767-300ER fully recline into flat bed seats; the seats are 21 inches wide on Airbus aircraft and 24in. on the Boeing 767. The seats are dark blue with the aztec logos stamped all over the seat with a white headrest cover with the Mexicana logo in black. On all flights lasting more than 1 hour, flight attendants offers personal TVs to the passengers with over 10 different channels to watch and a big movie selection and music.
[edit] Clase Turista
"Clase Turista" passengers are offered free warm meals on flights lasting more than 1 hour. Seat pitch is 36 inches on all Airbus and a 39 inches on the Boeing 767. Mexicana is one of the few airlines that have 19 inch-wide tourist class seats. The seats are dark blue with the aztec logo all over the seat and a white-colored head rest cover with the Mexicana logo in black. The Mexicana logos is also at the divider wall that divides the "Classe Ejecutiva" in grey. The curtains also have the same feature like the seats.
[edit] Entertainment
Mexicana offers its passengers in "Clase Ejectuiva" on all international flights personal TVs with over 10 different channels to watch and a big movie selection and music. In some domestic flighs lasting more than 3 hours, Mexicana offers overhead TVs for watching movies or Mexicana al Aire. Mexicana also offers iPods with preloaded Mexican shows and popular music for a fee of $5USD to rent. Mexicana will soon add American sitcoms and music to these iPods. Some Mexicana aircraft are equipped with TVs. They are available on all A318's, A319's, and 767-300's. Airbus A320's are not equipped with video units, even though they are used on flights four hours or longer.
[edit] Salón 'Ejecutivo'
Mexicana has the following lounges in the following airports:
- Mexico City International Airport
- Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport
- General Mariano Escobedo International Airport
- General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport
- Cancún International Airport
- General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada International Airport
International
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ministro Pistarini International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- San Antonio International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Portland International Airport
[edit] Destinations
[edit] Fleet
The Mexicana fleet consists of the following aircraft as of May 2008:[citation needed]
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Executive/Tourist) |
Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A318-100 | 10 | 100 (12/88) | Canada, Mexico and the USA | Medium haul routes |
| Airbus A319-100 | 20 | 120 (12/108) | Canada, Central America, Mexico, South America and USA |
Medium haul routes |
| Airbus A320-200 | 32 | 150 (12/138) | Cuba, Mexico, South America and USA | Medium haul routes |
| Boeing 767-200ER | (2 orders) | 202 (12/190) | Entrance to service: November 2008 from LOT Polish Airlines | Long haul routes |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 2 | 169 (42/127) | Argentina | Long haul routes |
[edit] Retired
- Boeing 757-200 Introduced in 1996, Mexicana had 12 of the type, last two airplanes were retired in June 2007
- Fokker 100 Used from 1992 to 2005(handed over to Click Mexicana, the low cost carrier subsidiary of Mexicana)
- McDonnell Douglas DC-10-15 (1981-1995) Mexicana and Aeromexico were the only operators of the type, designed to operate at high altitude cities like Mexico City. Mexicana had 5 of the type.
- Boeing 727-264A (1970-2003) Some of the airplanes were sold to the Federal Police.
- Boeing 727-64 (1966-1981) The first aircraft of these type were fitted with rocket aided engines for take-off.
- Douglas DC-8-71F (used from 1993 to 1994)
- Douglas DC-7
- Douglas DC-6
- Douglas DC-4
- Douglas DC-3
- Douglas DC-2
- De Havilland Comet 4C Introduced in 1960 together with the service scheme known as Azteca de Oro. Phased out in 1970. Mexicana was the only airline in Ibero-America to operate the type.
[edit] Timetable images note
The images of the Mexicana de Aviacion timetables are used with permission and as courtesy of Bjorn Larsson and David Zekria, and are part of their personal collections.
[edit] Codeshare agreements
At June 1, 2007, Mexicana codeshared with the following airlines:
- Air New Zealand
- Aeromexico
- ALMA de Mexico
- American Airlines
- Avianca
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Iberia Airlines
- Japan Airlines
- LAN Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
[edit] See also
- Puertorriqueña de Aviación (established 1941), inspired by Mexicana de Aviacion and Cubana de Aviación.
[edit] References
- ^ Initially, [Aeroméxico?] was Mexico's first international airline, as Mexicana then lacked international destinations.
- ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International, 2007-04-10, p. 50.
- ^ a b c d Flight International 12-18 April 2005
- ^ "Mexico to sell Mexicana Airline," Houston Chronicle, May 24, 1989.
[edit] External links
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