Aviacsa
historyAviacsa (Consorcio Aviaxsa, S.A. de C.V.) is an airline with its headquarters in Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico."World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 16-22, 2004. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200095.html?search=%22aviacsa%22 93]. It operates domestic services radiating from major hubs at Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara and international service to Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA.
According to the Department of Communications and Transportation as of September 2008, Aviacsa ranks as the seventh largest Mexican airline in domestic and international flights, down from the third largest at the end of 2007.»Department of Communications US
As of March 2010, the airline is grounded by the Transportation and Communications Department of Mexico. »http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-07-07-aviacsa-grounded_N.htm
History
The airline was established on May 5, 1990 by the government of the Mexican state of Chiapas in order to fulfill the transportation needs of the fast-growing communities located in that state. It operated its first flight on September 20, 1990, using one 89-seat British Aerospace 146 (BAe 146) regional aircraft between Mexico City and the cities of Tapachula, and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, both located in the state of Chiapas. By the end of the year, the airline received a second BAe 146 and had initiated service from the two towns in Chiapas to Villahermosa, Mérida, Oaxaca, Chetumal, and Cancún.»Aviacsa History
In 1991 Aviacsa exchanged its fleet of BAe 146 aircraft for four 108-seat Fokker F100 aircraft. With these new planes, the airline was able to initiate flights from Monterrey to Mérida and Cancún, as well as service from Mexico City to Mérida and Villahermosa. Between 1992 and 1995 its main operation hubs were Mérida and Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
In 1994 Aviacsa once again changed its fleet of Fokker F100s for a fleet of four 164-seat Boeing 727-200s. The airline also launched a charter division, temporarily utilising the Fokker F100s. The company was privatized and sold to Aerojecutivo, also known as Aeroexo, a charter company based in Monterrey.
In 1997 Aviacsa leased two Douglas DC-9-15 aircraft and was able to increase frequencies to its destinations. It announced that in its three years of charter operations, it had successfully carried out 1020 charter flights to cities within Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In December 1999 the airline acquired four Boeing 737-200s and added them to its fleet.
Between 2000 and 2005 Aviacsa used its small fleet to introduce new flights and destinations throughout Mexico, as well as scheduled service to five US cities. In 2000, it changed its image, slogan, and corporate logo. Between 2001 and 2004, the airline began leasing and purchasing used 737-200s to help increase its route capabilities.
In 2005 Aviacsa launched its online ticket shopping webpage, and introduced Boeing 737-300's to replace its 727's.
In June 2009 the Mexican government grounded 25 aircraft after officials said that the airline had maintenance irregularities. The airline is appealing this ruling citing, among other things, reports from the FAA and third party inspectors which have deemed the airline to be safe.Staff. "»Mexico grounds Aviacsa airline, deeming planes unsafe." Associated Press at Houston Chronicle. June 3, 2009. Retrieved on June 3, 2009.
On July 6, 2009 the Mexican government again grounded the airline for the third time in five weeks over claims that the airline owed over 292 million pesos (about $22 million) in fees for use of Mexican airspace. AVIACSA officials have accused the government of trying to put them out of business in response to pressure from other mexican airlines. Some of its routes are now being served by Aeromexico Connect, Interjet and MexicanaLink.»http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-07-07/travel-tours/more-troubles-for-mexicos-aviasca-the-airline-is-grounded-again More Troubles For Mexico's AVIACSA
Fleet
The Aviacsa fleet includes the following aircraft (as of 12 July 2009) »http://www.ch-aviation.ch/aircraft.php?search=set&airline=6A&al_op=1:
- 24 Boeing 737-200 (120 seats)
- 4 Boeing 737-300 (138 seats)
As of 2009, the average age of the Aviacsa fleet is 26.3 years, the oldest fleet of the mexican airlines.»http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/Aviacsa.htm
Retired Fleet
- BAe 146
- Boeing 727-100
- Boeing 727-200 Advanced
- Fokker 100
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15
Gallery