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AeroMexico Strategy for Expanding North American Operations Results in 30 Percent Increase in Markets Served This Year

Dépèche transmise le 15 septembre 2009 par Business Wire

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroMexico, the global airline of Latin America, has announced that the strategic expansion of its North American operations has resulted in a 30 percent increase this year in markets served in the United States and Canada. The airline has launched service in four U.S. markets – San Francisco, New Orleans, Albuquerque and Denver (seasonal) – and began its first Canadian service to Toronto and Montreal in 2009. Adding New Orleans to the airline’s flight network holds special significance as the first new international scheduled commercial airline service in that city since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. These service launches bring the total number of North American markets served by AeroMexico to 16 U.S. cities in 11 states and two cities in two Canadian provinces. Additionally, the airline has added routes in existing markets, which include re-establishing its San Antonio to Monterrey service in July and adding non-stop service between Las Vegas and Mexico City in January.

Frank Galan, Vice President, North America Division, AeroMexico, said, “We believe that our strategy for expanding AeroMexico’s North American operations continues to be a sound business decision. While the global economy has presented special challenges as we have added new markets and routes this year, we fully expect passenger demand to improve in the coming months.

“Our plans remain focused on adding other new markets and routes in existing markets in North America as the economy recovers over the next year,” he emphasized.

“At the same time, shifts that have occurred in the global economy mean we must be more flexible than ever and adjust AeroMexico’s routes and markets when passenger demand does not meet our expectations within a reasonable period of time. That is the reality of the new economic climate in which AeroMexico, and every other international airline and business, operates,” said Galan.

One of the major ways the airline is promoting increased travel to Mexico and its other Latin American markets is by providing the best value and service to its customers. AeroMexico is expanding the frequency of its FareSaver specials to popular destinations like Cancun, which helped boost hotel occupancy rates as high as 85 percent this summer, based on Mexico Tourism Board data, with good prospects for the fall travel season. The airline is also working with hotel partners to offer savings of up to 50 percent this fall on AeroMexico Vacations that include airfare, hotel, rental car and other travel services.

Superior service offerings add to the value AeroMexico delivers, setting the airline apart even further from its competitors. The airline’s user-friendly online reservations system has been upgraded recently with more information about featured destinations. AeroMexico’s Salon Premier airport lounges provide a full range of services at 10 airports in Mexico, including the airline’s spectacular Terminal 2 at Mexico City International Airport.

While most major carriers now charge significant fees for all checked baggage, AeroMexico still allows every passenger to check his or her first bag free. Personalized in-flight service includes complimentary meals, beverages and cocktails on all its international flights. Pillows and blankets, in-flight movies and other amenities are also provided at no additional charge.

AeroMexico’s service commitment extends to its continuing efforts to ensure the safety and well being of travelers through cooperative efforts with government agencies and health organizations. Additionally, the airline’s entire fleet is equipped with air filtration systems that continually refresh the cabin air, ensuring superior air quality that exceeds required industry standards.

Galan explains, “Our goal is to welcome travelers back to Mexico by giving them more reasons than ever to enjoy flying with AeroMexico to more than 45 different destinations throughout the country.”

AeroMexico has been participating actively in “Vive México” promotions with the Mexico Tourism Board, destinations and resort, hotel and other travel service providers throughout Mexico. These efforts, which extend through the end of the year, include additional familiarization trips for travel agents and writers in the U.S. and Canada so they can experience and share their stories about the country’s distinctive culture, beautiful beaches, environmental tours, specialty resorts, history and archeology, shopping and entertainment.

Communications outreach efforts have been expanded with additional travel and vacation options featured on the airline’s upgraded Web site at www.aeromexico.com, through other travel Web sites, and the airline’s Customer Service Department at 1-800-237-6739. Three online newsletters the airline launched in April are also helping travelers learn more about the latest travel specials: the weekly AeroMexico Escapes newsletter for the general public, the bi-weekly Agency Central for travel agents and the monthly Club Premier e-Newsletter for frequent flyer club members.

“We want to make sure travelers know that AeroMexico offers better value, superior service and more flight choices to more destinations within Mexico and throughout Latin America than any other airline in Mexico,” said Galan. “Our Mexico City operation opens the door to even more international travel opportunities with convenient, daily non-stop flights to major destinations in Europe and Asia. When we say AeroMexico is the global airline of Latin America, we mean it.”

AeroMexico and its subsidiary, AeroMexico Connect, operate more than 600 daily flights through the airline’s new Terminal 2 at its Mexico City International Airport hub to more than 45 destinations in Mexico, 16 U.S. cities in 11 states, two cities in two Canadian markets, and 10 other international destinations that include Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires in nine other countries worldwide. U.S. cities served are New Orleans, Los Angeles, Ontario (Ca.), San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver (seasonal), San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, New York City, Orlando and Miami. AeroMexico Vacations provides customized vacation travel packages throughout the airline’s service network. The airline also offers connecting service to other international destinations through its SkyTeam global airline alliance with 14 other carriers. AeroMexico has been recognized for its award-winning style of personalized in-flight service, one of the world’s best on-time flight records, the highest safety and quality standards ratings, outstanding reliability and baggage handling performance, and exceptional value based on its competitive fares and superior service. Additional information is available at www.aeromexico.com or 1-800-237-6639.