Airbus Industrie and Boeing are competing for an order from Aeromexico and Mexicana for up to 100 narrowbody aircraft. The order will be placed by Mexico's CINTRA Group, which owns both carriers. A decision is expected "before June", says Airbus. The deal does not include aircraft for AeroPeru, which is part owned by CINTRA.
Both Mexican airlines, which operate independently within CINTRA, have completed separate fleet replacement studies, which have been consolidated by the holding company. Aeromexico is expected to take 20 firm aircraft and 20 on option, to replace its DC-95s and MD80s. In addition to replacing older aircraft, Mexicana wants to reduce the number of types in its fleet.
Boeing is believed to be offering the 717, to replace Mexicana's Fokker 100s, as well as the Next Generation 737. Airbus is offering the A319/A320 family. Mexicana already operates 12 A320s and has eight still on order for delivery beginning in late 1999. The airline placed an order for 22 A320s, later reduced to 20, in 1990, but deliveries were interrupted by Mexico's 1994 economic crisis.
The CINTRA order will be the latest major re-equipment deal in Latin America. In late March, three airlines - Brazil's TAM, Central America's TACA Group, and LANChile - jointly placed orders and options for 179 A320 family aircraft, for delivery beginning in 1999.
COPA, part of the TACA Group, but not included in the Airbus deal, is negotiating for 10 narrowbodies. Avianca will decide this year on an order for up to 40 single aisle aircraft. In Brazil, Varig is known to be in discussions with Boeing about replacing cancelled 737-400s with an order for Next Generation737s.
Requirements for long range aircraft are also emerging. TAM has ordered five A330-200s, with deliveries to begin late this year. Brazilian airline VASP is discussing replacing a stalled order for Airbus A310s with a deal for up to 10 A330s, the manufacturer says.
Source: Flight International
