British Aerospace Asset Management is trying to persuade Mexican regional Aerolitoral to replace its fleet of 27 owned Fairchild Metros with 15 leased Jetstream 32EPs. The approach follows BAe's first deal with a Mexican carrier - to lease five 19-seat J32EPs, with seven options, to Aerocaribe.
Cancun-based Aerocaribe, like Aerolitoral, is owned by CINTRA, the parent company of Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Mexicana. Aerocaribe code-shares with Mexicana, while Monterrey-based Aerolitoral code-shares with Aeromexico.
Aerocaribe will take the J32s beginning mid-year, and the initial five will replace three of the airline's six Fairchild FH227s. The carrier also operates six Douglas DC-9-15s and two Cessna Caravans.
BAe says Aerolitoral is interested in the J32 to replace its Metros because it wants a 19-seater with a cabin similar to that in its newly introduced 30-seat Saab 340s. The carrier is taking delivery of six 340s and plans to acquire up to 11 in the near term . BAe is offering to remarket the Metros.
BAe Asset Management has sold a J32EP to Uruapan, Mexico-based Aero Cuahonte, which already operates one Metro II. Canada's Alberta Citylink, meanwhile, has purchased its second J32EP and plans to acquire a third "very shortly".
Source: Flight International
