Aeromexico affiliate Aerolitoral could become the sixth regional jet operator in the Delta Connection network as the carrier eyes regional jets and potentially broader SkyTeam ties.
Aerolitoral chief executive Raul Saenz says the carrier is evaluating regional jet proposals from Bombardier and Embraer, and may add used regional jets as early as the first quarter of 2003. The carrier operates 22 Saab 340s and nine Fairchild Metros, which are due for retirement over the next year.
"There are two choices - to continue expanding the Saab fleet and the one we are working on, the regional jets," Saenz says.
Aerolitoral parent Cintra has voiced an interest in the regional jets because the aircraft would fill a big gap in the Aeromexico network as the two carriers are privatised as a single airline grouping. Aerolitoral has already taken over a handful of mainline routes and there are others better suited to regional jets than the Boeing 737-700s Aeromexico has ordered to replace its McDonnell Douglas DC-9s.
Regional jets at Aerolitoral would also fit well into Delta's SkyTeam alliance ambitions as the US major looks for ways to step up competition with American Eagle and Continental Express, who dominate the Texas-Mexico market. Aerolitoral, which already carries Delta's code on some turboprop services, would be a lower cost operator and its codeshare flights do not count against scope caps.
"Delta is the biggest regional jet operator in the world and there are many things we can learn from them," Saenz says. "Over the years we've had some discussions with them. Some opportunities may come from there."
Saenz chuckles at the possibility of becoming the next Delta Connection carrier, but responds: "We'd be happy to be part of that."
Source: Flight International
