Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano Struggles with Low Demand and Empty Flights
The new state-owned airline in Mexico, Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, has indeed been facing challenges with low demand and empty flights since its launch in December 2023. Reports indicate that passengers have experienced flights with very few other passengers, sometimes having the whole plane to themselves. This situation reflects the airline’s struggle with bookings and reservations.
In January 2024, the airline operated 220 flights and received 14,162 reservations on its website. However, it’s important to note that this is only a fraction of its intended operation. Mexicana de Aviación, the new name for Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, was projected to operate only 27.2% of the flights planned in its financial plan. This shortfall in operations means the airline is currently flying just over a quarter of the flights it had set out in its financial plan, which anticipated 19,764 flights annually to generate significant revenue.
Despite the challenges, the airline’s deputy head, Leobardo Avila Bojorquez, remains optimistic, noting that the number of reservations made is a sign of satisfactory user response. The airline aims to become a preferred option for travelers in the future. Currently, Mexicana de Aviación flies to multiple destinations across Mexico, including Acapulco, Campeche, Chetumal, Ciudad Victoria, Guadalajara, and more. The airline started operations with just one Boeing 737-800 but is in talks with Boeing to acquire more aircraft.
In summary, while Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano has had a slow start with lower-than-expected demand and a significant reduction in its planned operations, it has shown potential for growth with a number of reservations and a diverse range of destinations within Mexico. The airline’s future success will depend on its ability to increase its flight operations and attract more passengers.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, msn.com