Going Global

Aeromexico expands its network, upgrades its fleet and improves the passenger experience

- Mark Chesnut

IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO WRITE the history of North American aviation without mentioning Aeromexico. With roots that go back to 1934, this Mexico City-based carrier in recent years has built its presence even more on the international front while also upgrading its passenger experience and expanding its offerings to appeal to new markets.

As Mexico’s largest airline (and the only one to serve Europe and Asia), Aeromexico is strategically well-poised for growth. Currently, the carrier fields an average of 600 daily flights to 43 destinations within Mexico as well as to 50 international destinations in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. And there’s more to come.

This year alone, the company added its fifth destination in Europe, with three weekly non-stop flights to Barcelona (BCN) from Mexico City International Airport, using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In addition, Aeromexico debuted new service linking Mexico City with Guayaquil (GYE), with three weekly frequencies, and removed a technical layover in Monterrey to convert its service between Mexico City and Seoul Incheon International Airport to a timesaving, non-stop experience.

In addition to strategic route growth, Aeromexico also fine-tuned its fleet. In 2012 Grupo Aeromexico — which includes the mainline carrier as well as cargo, Aeromexico Connect and other divisions — committed to the largest investment of any Mexican airline in history by signing a contract to acquire 100 aircraft from Boeing, valued at some $11 billion.

Just last year, the company finalized its “fleet simplification strategy,” resulting in just four types of aircraft from two manufacturers: the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 and Embraer 170 and 190. This rationalization resulted in greater efficiency in everything from maintenance to crew training, according to airline executives.