|
|
Am737.jpg
Aeroméxico Template:Airline codes, is one of Mexico's two major airline companies.
| Contents |
History
Aeronaves de Mexico (AeroMexico) was founded in 1934, with the help of Pan Am, which owned 40 percent of the new Mexican airline. The airline was initially known as Aeronaves de México. Aeroméxico saw few changes for the next two decades. However, during the 1950s, renovation began, and the airline took over various competitor companies, including a carrier called Aerovias Guest, which was the original owner of the routes to Madrid and Paris. (These routes are still being flown by 767s.) Aeroméxico added aircraft like the legendary Douglas DC-3 and its successor, the DC-4.
In 1958, services were inaugurated to Los Angeles using the venerable Bristol Britannia. The Mexico City-Los Angeles route would prove profitable for Aeroméxico and its North American competitors.
Aeroméxico started changing its piston-engined planes for the new jets during the 1960s, joining the worldwide airline industry evolution of that era. The first jet to join "Aeronaves"' fleet was the Douglas DC-8, followed by a series of DC-9's during the mid 60's. This enabled the airline to gradually expand its international services.
The 1970s brought dramatic changes for Aeroméxico. The first 2 DC-10-30's arrived, registered XA-DUG and XA-DUH. The airline changed its name from "Aeronaves de México" to its current, shortened version of Aeroméxico. During this period the airline's popularity and visibility grew dramatically: in part due to Aeroméxico's involvement in Mexican movies. Basically, every time a character in any movie produced in Mexico had to fly somewhere, they supposedly flew on Aeroméxico.
The 1980s were tough times for Aeroméxico. In 1986, the company suffered the only fatal accident outside of Mexico when a DC-9 approaching Los Angeles International Airport was struck by a small Piper aircraft. All 64 passengers and crew on board the DC-9 were killed, as were three on the Piper. Fifteen victims on the ground were also killed.
The plane crew or the airline were not to blame, as the Piper was being flown by a student who invaded a zone that was prohibited for student and private pilots. This mistake cost more than 80 people their lives.
Aeroméxico's safety record rates a "A", the highest grade possible, according to Air Rankings Online (see rankings at Airline Rankings (http://www.airsafetyonline.com/safetycenter/reportcard.shtml)). Rankings are cumulative, based on the number of fatal accidents per million flights that the carrier has flown since 1970.
In April of 1988, the state owned company was declared in bankruptcy, mainly because of lack of organization and a healthy administration by the Mexican Government, owner of the airline at that time. In the reorganization, the entire Douglas DC-8 fleet was retired along with the DC-9's -15 series. Aerovias de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., was born and established in September 7, l988, with the main objective of setting up public air transportation services for passengers, mail and cargo in general both domestically and internationally. The Company practically acquired all assets of Aeronaves de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. By October of the same year, the airline resumed operations with 20 aircraft and less than one half of their former employees, 400 of which were pilots. The airline at that time was owned by local banks, private investors and 25% by the pilots union, ASPA.
Revitalized and reinvigorated, Aeroméxico resumed operations, added a fleet of 1 DC-10-30, 4 DC-9-31's and 10 Md-88's. Between 1989 and 1995, new routes were added to Phoenix, Arizona, and all over the western United States. as well as to Lima, Peru. In 1992, Aeroméxico started service to Frankfurt and Rome in Europe.
The 1990's were no easier. Aeroméxico became a Boeing customer in 1990, placing an order for 26 767/757 airplanes with deliveries between 1991 and 1996. However, only 15 of these planes were delivered. The fleet has increased from 29 jets in October, l988 to 55 jets and 18 turbopropeller in December 31, l992.
The 90's were defined as turbulent times, and included a fare war caused by start up airlines like Taesa, Saro, Aviacsa and others. This times were distinguished with constant labor problems. Between 1994 and 1995 the 6 DC-10's in the feet were retired. The last revenue flight was in February of 1995.
In mid 1995 after a fraud of US$75m made by their former GEO Gerardo de Prevoisin, Aeromexico became a part of Cintra along with Mexicana. In 1996 it started a code share with Delta Air Lines and Air France, and in 1999 became a SkyTeam Member.
On March 1, 2005, an Aeromexico Boeing 757 suffered substantial damage and was not able to fly after a Mexicana A319 that was just in front of it made a 180 degree turn to avoid hitting a passenger who had just jumped off a Lufthansa Boeing 747 that was taking off Benito Juarez International Airport.[1] (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/1981999/|1)
Accidents History
- Aeronaves de México; 26 March, 1954 in Monterrey, México. (Douglas DC-3)
- Aeronaves de México; 2 June, 1958 near Guadalajara, México. (Lockheed 749A Constellation)
- Aeronaves de Mexico; 19 January, 1961 in New York, New York (Idlewild). (McDonnell Douglas DC-8-21)
- Aeronaves de México; 12 June, 1967 near La Paz, México. (Douglas DC-3A-197D)
- Aeromexico; 20 June, 1973 near Puerto Vallarta, México. (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15)
- Aeromexico; 27 July, 1981 in Chihuahua, México. (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- Aeromexico; 8 November, 1981 in Sierra de Guerrero, México. (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32)
- Aeromexico/Pvt.; 31 August, 1986 in Cerritos, California. (MD Douglas DC-9-32/Piper PA-28-181)
- Aeromexico; 06 October, 2000 in Reynosa México. (McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31)
Destinations
see full article Aeromexico Destinations.
Fleet
- 00 Boeing 777-200ER + 2 orders
- 01 Boeing 767-300
- 05 Boeing 767-200
- 06 Boeing 757-200
- 16 Boeing 737-700 + 2 orders
- 16 McDonnell Douglas MD-87
- 07 McDonnell Douglas MD-82
- 11 McDonnell Douglas MD-83
- 10 McDonnell Douglas MD-88
AeroLitoral
Regional airline of Aeromexico. See Aerolitoral
Other facts of interest
- During the 1990s, Aeromexico owned a substantial amount of shares of Aeroperu. Similarly, Puerto Rican governor Pedro Rosselló announced Aeromexico was interested in forming Aero Puerto Rico. Aero Puerto Rico never went from being anything else than just an idea, however.
- One of Aeromexico's DC-8's, registered XA-DOE, was the first DC-8 built, having originally flown for Delta Airlines.
External links
- Aeroméxico (http://www.aeromexico.com/)
- Aeroméxico crashes (http://www.airdisaster.com/cgi_bin/airline_detail.cgi?airline=Aeromexico)
| Members of the Skyteam Alliance |
| Aeroméxico | Air France | Alitalia | Continental Airlines | CSA Czech Airlines | Delta Air Lines | KLM | Korean Air | Northwest Airlines |
| Future Members: Air Europa | Aeroflot | China Southern Airlines | COPA | Kenya Airways | TAROM |
| List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |
|
Lists of Aircraft | Aircraft manufacturers | Aircraft engines | Aircraft engine manufacturers Airports | Airlines | Air forces | Aircraft weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |