By Juan Pedro Sanchez Zamudio
Aeromexico, Volaris Bolster Fleets with Addition of New Aircraft
Over the course of this month, two of Mexico’s largest airlines have announced the incorporation of new aircraft into their fleets, taking the next step toward returning to pre-Covid-19 fleet and passenger numbers as the busy summer travel season takes off.
As part of its fleet plan — and the massive changes the airline has undergone in the past decade — Aeroméxico received its first Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft at the end of last month. The first two landed in Mexico City in the early morning on May 29.
The planes were specially configured for Aeroméxico with 181 seats, 16 in Premier Class, 18 in AM Plus and 147 in Economy Class. Commercial operations of these new aircraft began this month.
In a press release, the Mexican carrier said that thanks to the innovation in its ailerons, engines and other components, the new MAX 9 will consume up to 16% less fuel, they will emit 16% less CO2 per passenger compared to other aircraft of a similar category and have a range of more than 6,000 km.
With the arrival of these MAX 9, Aeroméxico plans to conclude this month with a fleet of 108 aircraft: eight Boeing 787-8, 10 Boeing 787-9, 33 Boeing 737-800, seven Boeing 737 MAX 8, three Boeing 737 MAX 9, and 47 Embraer E-190.
Last April, Aeroméxico signed agreements to increase its fleet with 24 new Boeing 737-800 and 737-9 MAX models, as well as 4 787-9 Dreamliners, which will be incorporated between 2021 and 2022.
Volaris, the ultra-low-cost Mexican airline that operates flights in Mexico, the U.S. and Central America, received its own Airbus A320neo aircraft, the 88th to join its fleet, with the aim of strengthening its reactivation strategy in the domestic market. The airline took delivery of the aircraft at the end of last week.
In a press release, the Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier detailed that the new aircraft will start its operations on June 20, serving on routes between Mexico City and Cancun in addition to between Mexico City and Monterrey, increasing the offerings by 13 and seven frequencies respectively.
Volaris currently sits as the largest airline — measured by total seats offered — in the Cancun market, as well as the second-largest in Mexico City and Monterrey. To date, the company has transported around 90 million passengers between the three destinations and operates 47 routes from the capital, 20 in Cancun and eight in Monterrey.
The neo — short for new engine option — aircraft type will also reduce fuel consumption and polluting emissions by approximately 16%. In this way, Volaris is working to maintain its sustainability strategy as a fundamental part of the business model.
During 2021, Volaris will receive nine aircraft in addition to those it had planned to receive prior and will close the year with around 100 aircraft, positioning itself as the leading airline in Mexico with an eco-efficient fleet, one of the youngest in North and South America.
The three things Juan Pedro loves most about aviation are aircraft, airports, and traveling thousands of miles in just a few hours. What he enjoys the most about aviation is that it is easier and cheaper to travel around the world and this gives you the opportunity to visit places you thought were too far away. He has traveled to different destinations in North, Central, South America and Asia. Born, raised and still living in Perú, Juan is a lawyer, soccer lover, foodie, passionate traveler, dog lover, millennial and curious by nature.