Graham Warwick/GUADALAJARA
Mexican regional Aerolitoral plans to acquire up to 25 Saab 340s and is drawing up plans to acquire 50-seaters, possibly regional jets. The Monterrey-based carrier operates 27 19-seat Fairchild Dornier Metro III/23s. The first of an initial six 33-seat Saab 340Bs entered service in December and another five are to be acquired in 1998.
The Saab 340s are ex-KLM CityHopper aircraft, leased from Boeing Capital (formerly McDonnell Douglas Finance). The first six are additions to Aerolitoral's fleet, serving destinations in Mexico and the USA from Monterrey and Guadalajara. The next five will be replacements, and will be acquired when the airline has sold a similar number of Metros, says Aerolitoral president Carlos Trevino.
Aerolitoral's ten-year plan calls for the addition of 76 new routes to its current system of 53 services, expanding its network through most of Mexico. This includes the creation of several new cross-border routes. According to commercial director Raul Saenz, the Metro fleet will be reduced to "ten or so" aircraft by 2005, plus "-20-25 30-seaters and some 50-seaters, possibly jets".
Trevino says that a study into the 50-seater will be completed by the end of 1998 for presentation to parent company CINTRA, which is also the holding company for Aeromexico and Mexicana. "The market is likely to demand a jet," he admits, but Aerolitoral will also consider the Saab 2000, "particularly if they offer a good deal". Although Saab is winding down its turboprop production, it will have second-hand aircraft available as they are returned from current operators and has already demonstrated the 2000 to CINTRA. Aerolitoral plans to have 50-seaters in service "around 2002", says Saenz.
Aerolitoral's plans could change if CINTRA bows to political pressure to split up Aeromexico and Mexicana. Trevino would prefer to see the airlines merged to create a single strong Mexican carrier, with Aerolitoral being merged with CINTRA's other regionals, Aerocaribe and Aerocozumel. He would also like to see closer co-operation with independent Mexican Aero International (Regional)ATR 42 operator Aeromar.
Source: Flight International
