Aeromexico has unveiled plans to add nine routes and seven destinations to its domestic network as it takes delivery of seven additional Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets.
The carrier says in a statement it will be launching services from its Mexico City hub to Ciudad Victoria, Colima, Huatulco, Lazaro Cardenas, Nuevo Laredo, San Luis Potosi, Tampico, Tepic and Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Aeromexico says the new routes, which will be launched in phases over the next several months, are part of a major expansion of its domestic network from 37 destinations at the end of 2008 to 48 by the end of 2009. It adds the new routes are made possible by the expansion of Aeromexico Connect's ERJ-145 fleet.
An Aeromexico spokesman says the carrier has committed to adding seven second-hand ERJ-145s this year. According to ACAS, Aeromexico Connect already operates 35 ERJ-145s.
Ciudad Victoria, Colima, Huatulco, Lazaro Cardenas, Nuevo Laredo, Tepic and Tuxtla Gutierrez all represent new destinations for Aeromexico although they are currently served by other Mexican carriers. According to Innovata, Aeromexico already serves Tampico from Monterrey and Veracruz and San Louis Potosi from Monterrey.
The expansion will begin in March, with the launch of three daily flights from Mexico City to both Tampico and San Luis Potosi. Aeromexico will compete against Aeromar, Aviacsa, Click Mexicana and Interjet on the Tampico route and against Aeromar and Click on the San Luis Potosi route.
Service from Mexico City to Ciudad Victoria and Nuevo Laredo will begin in April with two daily flights each. According to Innovata, Aeromar currently is the only carrier serving Ciudad Victoria while Click is the only carrier serving Nuevo Laredo.
Mexico City-Tuxtla Gutierrez will be added in July with three daily flights and Mexico City-Huatulco will also begin in July with one daily flight. Click and Interjet already serve both of these routes and Aviacsa also serves Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Aeromexico has not yet set an exact launch date for Colima, Lazaro Cardenas and Tepic but says each will be served thrice daily. These are all smaller cities which are only currently served by Aeromar, an independent regional carrier operating ATR 42s.
While Aeromexico plans to use ERJ-145s for most of the new routes, larger aircraft will be used for some of the services, depending on demand.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
