Paul Lewis/NEW YORK
Cintra, owner of Mexicana and Aeromexico, expects to take the much anticipated decision by the third quarter on a new fleet of narrowbody aircraft, to be followed by an order for up to 60 new regional jets to re-equip its smaller operators Aerocaribe and Aerolitoral.
"We've just finished the strategic plan and are looking at the Boeing 737 versus the Airbus A320. I think we'll reach a decision in the next three months. A decision on a 50- to 70-seat regional jet will probably take a little longer," says Juan Diez-Canedo, director general of Cintra.
The two Mexican carriers have a combined requirement to replace 90 aircraft comprised of 22 Boeing 727-200s, 12 Fokker 100s operated by Mexicana, 38 Boeing MD-80s and 17 McDonnell Douglas DC-9s with Aeromexico. Mexicana operates 16 A320s and is planning an interim lease of two A319s (Flight International, 23-29 May).
Reconciling Mexican's preference for European equipment with Aeromexico's all-US built fleet has proved a challenge. "At the end of the day, it's a financial decision," says Diez-Canedo.
Boeing has also been pushing the 717, but its lack of family commonality with other types "could be a problem," adds Diez-Canedo.
Cintra's next priority is to reorganise its two regional carriers. "We're working on the connectivity of the regionals into Mexico City and the frequency we need will be taken into account when we decide which kind of regional jet we select," says Diez-Canedo.
Aerolitoral is equipped with a fleet of 32 turboprops comprised mainly of Saab 340s and Fairchild Metros. Its sister carrier Aerocaribe has a smaller but more varied collection of BAe Jetstream 31/32, Fairchild F27s and DC-9s.
Source: Flight International
