AeroMexico, the largest airline in Mexico and based in Mexico City has scheduled domestic and international services to Asia, Europe, Central and South America and the US. AeroMexico is the only Latin American airline with flight routes to Asia. Established as Aeronaves de Mexico on 15 September 1934 by Antonio Diaz Lombardo, its first plane was Stinson SR piloted by Julio Zinser who made its maiden flight to Mexico City – Acapulco route a day earlier. During World War II, the airline continued to grow with the help of Pan Am, a 25% stakeholder of AeroMexico.
Few changes were seen in the next two decades. In 1950s, renovations commenced and AeroMexico took over various competitor companies across the country. Douglas DC-3 and Dc-4 added to its fleet were replaced in late 1950s by Douglas DC-6 and 3 Bristol Britannia, the first turbo passenger plane in the fleet. In 1958 services were inaugurated to Idlewild Airport known today as JFK and AeroMexico was nationalized in 1959. The early 1960s fleet included Douglas DC-3 and DC-6 plus Bristol Britannia aircraft. New jets entered in 1961. The first jet was a pair of Douglas DC-8s with routes between Mexico and New York. Between 1962 and 1963, the airline took over Aerovias Guest Mexico and merged under the name, Aeronaves de Mexico.
In 1960s more DC-8s were added and service to Europe resumed. The first Douglas DC-9-15 were added in 1964 followed by nine more planes till 1968 for domestic and US services while gradually expanding its short-haul international services. In 1970, under the government plan, Mexican domestic airlines came under an integrated air transport system controlled by Aeronaves de Mexico. The airline changed its name from Aeronaves de Mexico to AeroMexico. It received the first two planes in 1974 and took delivery of the first four Douglas DC-9-32s while the airline grew dramatically.
Services to Canada commenced in late 1970s with two more DC-9-15s added. Time for expansion was in the 80s. Among others two McDonnell Douglas MD-82, stretch versions of the DC-9 were added to the fleet in late 1981 with eight DC-9-32 aircrafts. AeroMexico saw tough times by late 80s, where the airline was declared bankrupt and grounded for three months. In August, a privatization programme was introduced. Aerovias de Mexico was established in September 7, 1988 for public transportation services for passengers, mail and cargo, both domestic and international. The 90s were turbulent times with the rise of fuel costs due to the first Gulf War and a domestic fare war among airlines.
In late 1992, AeroMexico acquired the bankrupt Aeroperu from the Peruvian government. From 1991 to 1994 more secondhand MD-82 and -83 aircrafts were added. The first two McDonnell Douglas MD-87 planes joined in 1993 for chartered flights, and six brand new Boeing 757 jets opened new routes to Phoenix, Arizona, domestic routes and to western United States and also to Lima. In 1992, AeroMexico introduced direct flights to Madrid and Paris from Mexico City with services to Frankfurt via Paris and Rome via Madrid. On 1993 AeroMexico took over Mexicana the second largest airline in the Mexican market.
AeroMexico underwent successful financial restructuring in August 1995. In 1996, a code sharing arrangement commenced with Delta Air Lines and Air France. In 1999, AeroMexico became one of the pioneers of SkyTeam. From 2000 to 2005, AeroMexico had an average fleet of 60 aircrafts, plus 20 in Aerolitoral. After 9/11, it underwent a fleet renovation programme in mid-2003. Its fleet was replaced with Boeing 737-700/800 aircraft. On March 29, 2006 AerMexico CEO, Andres Conesa announced the inauguration of direct flights between Japan and Mexico City via Tijuana.
On June 29, 2006 the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and AeroMexico announced the operation of three Boeing 787 airplanes. AeroMexico will lease the three 787-8s from ILFC with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2010, and another two planes on lease from ILFC will be in service by 2011. |
