Mexico's Aviacsa is preparing to return the last of its leased Boeing 737-200s, leaving it with a fleet of 26 owned aircraft.
Aviacsa technical president Miguel Cisneros says the carrier over the last four months has removed from service all six of its leased 737-200s. He says five have been returned to their lessor, a small leasing company based in New York, while Aviacsa is now completing a heavy check on the sixth aircraft ahead of its return.
Cisneros says all six leases were expiring and it made sense to not extend them as Aviacsa has cut capacity by about 40% over the last year in response to weak market conditions. "It was perfect timing," he says.
The return of the six aircraft leaves Aviacsa with a fleet of 23 737-200s and three 737-300s, all of which are owned by the carrier.
Cisneros says about 90% of these aircraft are now operational but acknowledges each aircraft is only utilised five to eight hours per day. This is part of Aviacsa's new strategy that involves focusing on short-haul sectors with most frequencies operated during peak hours.
"The secret is short-haul," Cisneros says. "We're very competitive on flights of up to one hour."
As Aviacsa owns all its remaining aircraft, Cisneros says the carrier is able to focus its operation on peak hour business traffic while Mexican carriers are forced to keep operating all their aircraft during non-peak hours. Mexico's other carriers operate much newer aircraft which are generally financed or leased rather than owned outright.
While Aviacsa's fleet is maintenance intensive, Cisneros says the carrier is able to keep MRO costs down because it does almost all work in-house. At its Mexico City MRO facility, Aviacsa overhauls 737 airframes and Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines. It also does its own repairs on most components, auxiliary power units, landing gears, wheels, brakes, thrust reversers and other structures.
Only CFM56 engine overhauls have to be outsourced but Cisneros says Aviacsa is preparing to also add this capability as it expands its 737-300 fleet. The opening of a CFM56 line will likely be timed with the opening of a new MRO facility in Saltillo. Cisneros reveals Aviacsa plans to move all its maintenance lines to Saltillo except for airframe, which will continue to be performed at Mexico City.
Cisneros says the opening of the Saltillo MRO facility hinges on Aviacsa's being able to secure new capital. The carrier's current owner, the Morales family, is currently trying to bring in new owners, which would provide the capital also required to renew Aviacsa's ageing fleet. Avicsa plans to eventually replace all its 737-200s with 737-300s or other 737 Classic models.
Cisneros says a deal to bring in new owners should be completed "soon".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
