BajaNomad

Mexican Federal Authority suspend ALL AEROCALIFORNIA operations

aldosalato - 4-2-2006 at 01:12 PM

DIfficult there will be salvation. Other airlines will pick up the routes.

Don Alley - 4-2-2006 at 02:12 PM

Oh Great!

Paula had tickets...there goes her trip to North Dakota!:lol:

True

Don Alley - 4-2-2006 at 02:44 PM

http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?idc=234309

If you search Google.com.mx News you'll find more articles.

Apparently inspectors found their aging fleet a risk to passengers and employees.

It's interesting that Mexicam government officials acted, based on their inspectors' reports. Aerocalifornia is subject to US FAA rules, I believe, since they operate out of LAX. Apparently the FAA standards are either not as rigid, or not as rigidly enforced. Something to think about when flying any US airline.:lol:

Paula does have an aerocal ticket for later this month, to LAX for connections, but not to ND. :)
Unfortunately, Alaska's schedule is set for California folks, and does not allow for many connections elsewhere.

Alaska Airlines to Loreto Filing fast...

Juan del Rio - 4-2-2006 at 05:57 PM

I waited for thirty minutes this afternoon trying to get through to Aero California's office in La Paz...no luck. I have to be in Baja the week of April 23rd and have three tickets on Aero California. They had one ticket left this afternoon, round trip at $518.40 from LAX for 4/23-30 and that wasn't even First Class. If you have to be down in Loreto or surrounding areas the next few weeks, better check Alaska as soon as possible!

Bob and Susan - 4-2-2006 at 06:03 PM

...or drive...

....or call capt mike...:lol:

[Edited on 4-3-2006 by Bob and Susan]

tim40 - 4-2-2006 at 09:29 PM

For those conveying a desire for Loreto to slow down a bit on expansion this could have a material impact. AK AL is not enough and generally have had much higher fares.... now the price for safety, that is another question,

Aero California

marla - 4-2-2006 at 09:34 PM

Aero California
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Some passengers were stranded at Los Angeles International Airport today when the Mexican airline Aero California canceled all flights without explanation, according to broadcast reports.
All of the airline?s flights were canceled, including five at LAX, and travelers were not given a reason, KCAL9 reported.
Most passengers were not given refunds either, according to the TV station.
Ticket agents told some passengers the airline had gone bankrupt, but a Mexican newspaper reported the airline was grounded for safety and security reasons after failing to fix problems found during an inspection a year ago, KCAL reported.
?This is the worst handled thing I?ve ever seen,? one frustrated traveler at LAX told KCAL.

CNS-04-2-2006 21:10

Sallysouth - 4-2-2006 at 09:52 PM

Last time I flew with Areocal (and I mean the LAST time) from San Diego to Loreto, they canceled the flight at the gate as we were ready to board the plane.My ride had left long ago, all my cash was in Loreto and I did not have any credit cards with me. In hindsight, it was very poor planning on my part because you never know what may happen when traveling.However, this was supposed to be an hour and a half(?) flight, and I would be fine.Oh, but NO!!! Bussed to a motel in San Diego for the night, a dinner at the motels diner (awful, and I had soup and salad,all my voucher would provide)and bussed to T.J. the next morning.Then we took a flight to La Paz,not Loreto,and were bussed to Loreto from there.The whole trip took two days to get there.I vowed never to fly with them again, and I never will.I hope they go out of biz,as there never was an appology,explanation, warning,nothing!! Rude and unprofessional is how I would describe my experience.At least those people at LAX didn't get what I got. Areocal sucks, IMO. Nuf said.....SS (Good greif! I remebered that my experience was with Aeromexico,NOT Areocal.My appologies! And yes, Don Alley,there are some really nice people in Loreto that work for Aerocal and my sympathies go out to them if they shut down.)

[Edited on 4-6-2006 by Sallysouth]

Don Alley - 4-3-2006 at 07:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Last time I flew with Areocal (and I mean the LAST time) from San Diego to Loreto, they canceled the flight at the gate as we were ready to board the plane.My ride had left long ago, all my cash was in Loreto and I did not have any credit cards with me. In hindsight, it was very poor planning on my part because you never know what may happen when traveling.However, this was supposed to be an hour and a half(?) flight, and I would be fine.Oh, but NO!!! Bussed to a motel in San Diego for the night, a dinner at the motels diner (awful, and I had soup and salad,all my voucher would provide)and bussed to T.J. the next morning.Then we took a flight to La Paz,not Loreto,and were bussed to Loreto from there.The whole trip took two days to get there.I vowed never to fly with them again, and I never will.I hope they go out of biz,as there never was an appology,explanation, warning,nothing!! Rude and unprofessional is how I would describe my experience.At least those people at LAX didn't get what I got. Areocal sucks, IMO. Nuf said.....SS


But I've had bad experiences with Alaska and their subsidiary, Horizon, including being stranded in the wrong town. And, unlike Aerocal, no vouchers. No bus. No motel. No meal. No alternate flight. Just, well, here you are in Klamath Falls, get to Medford however you can, you figure it out. And many other goofy things. So far, no problems for myself, friends and family with Aerocal, but many with Alaska and also Delta.

So, well, maybe it would be a little more, um, balanced and fair to say THEY ALL SUCK!:lol:

Maybe we're out 250 bucks and the first leg of my wife's upcoming trip is complicated, but some nice folks here in Loreto are out of a job. Bummer, IMO.

OK, a post on Allcoast says Aerocal's US folks say canceled flight ticket holders will be rescheduled, and flights will resume in a couple of days. Whatever, we'll see.

Don Alley & Paula....here is a carrier for your North Dakota flight.

Pompano - 4-3-2006 at 07:06 AM

Just make sure you don't fly anywhere near Cousin Rufus.....cuz he's out duck hunting without his eyeglasses agin.


(..actually, this was a crashed DC-3 enroute from Alaska to States in the Sixties)

[Edited on 4-3-2006 by Pompano]

KAT54 - 4-3-2006 at 07:07 AM

Are the other airlines honoring the areocal tickets?

Paula - 4-3-2006 at 07:33 AM

Pompano

Your welcome to come visit us in Montana, but the dog ate my ticket to North Dakota.

Mexico Suspends Regional Airline

BajaNews - 4-3-2006 at 08:00 AM

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-airline3...

Aerocalifornia failed safety inspections, officials say. Hundreds are stranded at LAX.

April, 3 2006

MEXICO CITY ? Mexican authorities said Sunday they had halted flights by regional airline Aerocalifornia because of safety concerns after inspections showed serious deficiencies.

The transport ministry said Aerocalifornia operations were suspended after inspections showed it had failed to make improvements ordered under a review 15 months ago.

The private, low-cost airline, based in La Paz, Baja California Sur, operates flights between several Mexican cities and Los Angeles International and Tucson International airports.

Paul Haney, a spokesman for LAX, said the company runs about 50 departures a week to Mazatlan, Guadalajara and Durango and other cities.

The unexpected grounding left several hundred passengers stranded at LAX.

"I've never seen anything like it," said an exasperated Brian d'Autremont, 49, a passenger on a jet bound for Cabo San Lucas that got as far as the taxiway before returning to the terminal without explanation.

After the first inspection the airline had grounded a third of its fleet and was "cannibalizing" parts from those planes to keep the rest operating, the transport ministry said. It provided no further details on safety problems.

Airline officials could not be reached for comment.

[Edited on 4-3-2006 by BajaNews]

Don Alley - 4-3-2006 at 08:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
Pompano

Your welcome to come visit us in Montana, but the dog ate my ticket to North Dakota.


The dog ate one of those newfangled "electronic" tickets. Now I have to reprogram my dog.
Before:


After eating Big Sky Airlines E-Ticket:


And now back to our regular scheduled program: The Aerocalifornia Story, starring Jimmy Stewart and Spencer Tracy.

Pompano - 4-3-2006 at 08:12 AM

It comes as no surprise to us old-timers that AeroCalifornia is being shut down.....we have made the mistake of flying AeroCalifornia over the years.. they have 'lost' our luggage, canceled flights with no refunds, made unprofessional rapid, ear-damaging descents, and have poor aircraft maintenance. I don't know anyone who would fly with them for many years now. Their world-wide rating amongst airliners is consistent...they are at the bottom.


Paula...That dog has shown good sense...keep him handy for future ticket solutions to ND.

North Dakotans cannot travel to Montana just yet. Our last ND governor put this billboard sign up on our ND/MT border....

"Thinking of leaving North Dakota? Custer Did."

Walking out of Montana....to warm North Dakota.

Pompano - 4-3-2006 at 08:23 AM

this is how I met my wife...walking back to ND.....she was the sole survivor of a trip into frozen Montana.

She 'may' have been flying AeroCalifornia.....:rolleyes:

Maybe flying Tuesday again...

Juan del Rio - 4-3-2006 at 08:57 AM

I was able to get in touch with Aero California's Flight Operation Office at LAX this morning. The young lady said flights were cancelled for today, but would resume tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4th.

Update

BajaNews - 4-3-2006 at 09:37 AM

http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/wire/sns-ap-mexico...

By IOAN GRILLO, Associated Press Writer
8:01 AM PDT, April 3, 2006

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican aviation officials have suspended operations at Aerocalifornia after determining that the low-cost carrier failed to meet safety standards.

The airline offered flights to 22 Mexican cities and Los Angeles.

ADVERTISEMENT
The Civil Aviation Department announced the closure in a news release late Sunday, saying the agency "has determined that this airline no longer guarantees that operations meet safety standards."

Department and airline spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

A woman answering the telephone at an Aerocalifornia office in La Paz, where the airline is based, referred a caller to a different office, where no one answered the telephone.

At a sales office in Mexico City, several frustrated customers were lining up to look for ways to get to their destinations after their flights were canceled.

"It was a big surprise. They didn't call or anything to advise me that it was canceled," said Enrique Zuniga, a 58-year-old education writer who had been booked on a 2,400-peso ($220) flight Monday from Mexico City to his home city of Chihuahua.

"I hope they have the good will to compensate me somehow."

The suspension follows several inspections by federal authorities beginning more than a year ago, when the airline was instructed to make a series of changes to improve operations.

One of the inspections showed that the airline had a third of its fleet grounded and was taking parts from decommissioned airplanes to keep others operating, the department said.

The federal agency reportedly has given the airline an unspecified amount of time to correct problems in order to restart operations.

Aerocalifornia was one of several low-cost airlines to emerge in recent years, offering passengers cheaper alternatives to the country's dominant Aeromexico and Mexicana carriers.

"We hope the airline will be able to resolve the problems as soon as possible and will be able to begin operating again -- but under the highest security standards," President Vicente Fox's spokesman, Ruben Aguilar, said Monday.

Scare-o-cal Grounded

Slowmad - 4-3-2006 at 09:44 AM

Great.
Was dropping down to the tip on Sunday for a week.
First time my agent ever put me on Scare-o, and this happens.
As it stands, my billfold is feeling about 1500 light (three round trips).
Air travel has become more and more abusive worldwide.
The going-through-the-motions, triple-redundant security is particularly cuckoo.
Let alone the "customer service" that treats you like a fool for doing business with any given carrier.
Cannibilizing parts from their own rolling stock--par for the course.


:mad:

awfulart - 4-3-2006 at 09:46 AM

I thought Aero Mexico was flying to Loreto out of San Diego??

Aero Cal

Bill Collector - 4-3-2006 at 10:24 AM

This came off another site regarding Aero Cal.

"There was never a safety problem. The owner of Aero Cal apparently refused to pay fees to the government over the weekend that were due. So, the government called in a bogus "inspeccion" to force Aero Cal's hand on a Sunday during the busiest time of the year. Also, because Aero Cal's execs back the opposing political party, they had no qualms about doing this. I got this from one of the corporate execs just a few minutes ago who personally called me. This is the equivalent of shutting down the trucks in the U.S. Whole country is affected. It's all over the news here. Have been up for 2 days as you can imagine. E-mails flying in. Phones going off the hook. Trying to get people out've town and others into town. The latest is also that Aero Mex is going to honor the tickets. They were optimistic that things will be righted by later this evening with retractions in the news."

flyfishinPam - 4-3-2006 at 01:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Juan del Rio
I was able to get in touch with Aero California's Flight Operation Office at LAX this morning. The young lady said flights were cancelled for today, but would resume tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4th.


Juan that's called the manana treatment!

flyfishinPam - 4-3-2006 at 02:58 PM

Just got this alert from ASTA net (American Society of Travel Agents):

Aero California Flights Cancelled

All Aero California flights from Los Angeles International Airport were cancelled on Monday, April 3, 2006. Although the airline gave no formal explanation for the cancellations, KNBC TV in Los Angeles reported that the Mexican government suspended the airline's operations in Mexico on Sunday. "Aero California no longer guarantees that operations meet safety standards,? said Mexican officials. Aero California is an Airline Reporting Corp. (ARC) participating carrier. ARC has indicated that it is in the process of investigating the circumstances and will advise agents accordingly. The airline offers flights to 22 Mexican cities and Los Angeles. ASTA will update this news when more information is available at http://www.astanet.com/members/memberalert.asp.

Posts on Fred's board

Hook - 4-3-2006 at 03:02 PM

are indicating that, according to some Mexican press reports, the shutdown will last at least 90 days.

We'll see.......

"....the bus, boss, the bus!!!"

Capt Mike- get a quickie banner up on Nomads. AeroCal's loss can be your gain!!!!

BajaNomad - 4-3-2006 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Braulio
Last week Aerocalifornia was offering round trip tickets from Tijuana to Culiacan for $130 - I held off because of the advise given on this forum by Lencho (he predicted Aerocalifornia having problems in the near future).


:O

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=15719#pid1330...

BajaNomad - 4-3-2006 at 04:19 PM

Oh the irony of the Aerocalifornia Google ad appearing on this thread....

Update 3: Mexican Officials Shut Down Aerocalifornia

BajaNews - 4-3-2006 at 09:57 PM

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/04/03/ap2644067.htm...

By IOAN GRILLO
04.03.2006, 09:28 PM

Mexican aviation officials suspended operations at Aerocalifornia for "systematic" safety problems at the low-cost carrier, telling the airline on Monday that it has 90 days to meet standards or risk losing its operating license.

The government grounded the low-cost airline on Sunday following a two-week review of the company's operations, which discovered that the Aerocalifornia was cannibalizing parts from decommissioned planes, among other safety concerns.

"The problem has escalated to a higher category of deterioration," said Gilberto Lopez, head of aviation for Mexico's Communications and Transport Ministry, at a press conference.

Airline spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

A woman answering the telephone at an Aerocalifornia office in La Paz, where the airline is based, referred a caller to a different office, where no one answered.

The company couldn't verify how long some parts had been used in various planes and couldn't demonstrate that employees - ranging from mechanics to pilots - had received the proper training, he said.

"Due to the conditions encountered, it wasn't possible to guarantee the security of the company's operations in a sustainable way," Lopez said.

If Aerocalifornia can't correct most of the deficiencies and "reconstruct practically all of its system," the government will start the process of revoking its operating license, he said.

Beyond the ongoing costs of maintaining its fleet, Lopez added that "it will require a big investment to restructure the airline."

Meanwhile, passengers who have already bought tickets are trying to rearrange plans for trips during one of Mexico's busiest travel periods, Easter week.

Other airlines are offering Aerocalifornia customers tickets at a discounted price, averaging 500 pesos ($58).

Lopez praised the "extraordinary response" of local carriers, saying that 90 percent of Aerocalifornia passengers stranded Sunday had found an alternate flight.

At a sales office in Mexico City, several frustrated customers were lining up to look for ways to get to their destinations after their flights were canceled.

"It was a big surprise. They didn't call or anything to advise me that it was canceled," said Enrique Zuniga, a 58-year-old writer who had been booked on a 2,400-peso ($220) flight Monday from Mexico City to his home city of Chihuahua.

"I hope they have the good will to compensate me somehow."

The suspension follows several inspections by federal authorities beginning more than a year ago, when the airline was instructed to make a series of changes to improve operations.

Aerocalifornia was one of several low-cost airlines to emerge in recent years, offering passengers cheaper alternatives to the country's dominant Aeromexico and Mexicana carriers.

The airline offered flights to 22 Mexican cities and Los Angeles.

On Monday, five Aerocalifornia planes were on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport, said Harold Johnson, a spokesman for Los Angeles World Airports. Last year, the airport handled about 280,000 Aerocalifornia passengers, he said.

Passengers were quoted by Los Angeles TV stations Sunday as saying they had boarded airplanes and then were suddenly told to get off. They said some passengers received refunds but others did not.

Tuesday LAX Flight cancelled

Juan del Rio - 4-4-2006 at 10:18 AM

As Pam correctly pointed out...not today either. I just spoke with Aero California's LAX flight operations office (10:15 am PST) and the young lady told me that the LAX flight was cancelled for today. She was not sure about tomorrow's flight. I asked her about the 90 day shut down and she said, "officially, they were still flying". Not much help. Any word from our Aero California friends at Loreto Flight operations? I don't have the phone number here to call direct. Maybe someone in Loreto can call Teresita direct at Loreto's Aero California's airport office and find out some additional information.

msrla - 4-4-2006 at 10:48 AM

Juan, thanks for the updates..... I'm wondering now if our la Paz trip is just not gonna happen next month :(

We needed this trip BAD! :(

I am really dismayed that no one at Aerocal is offering any alternate help or advice....

Loreto Airport Update

Juan del Rio - 4-4-2006 at 11:07 AM

My friend, Michael Garver, called and spoke to Rudolfo at Aero California's Airport office this morning (around 10:50 am PST). Rudolfo wasn't sure what was going on with the flights and has been unable to get in touch with anyone in La Paz via telephone...this is an employee trying to get in through to Headquarters. Just imagine what all the passengers, travel agents and other employees are going through. I feel for all of them...including those folks locally who depend upon the flights for the tourist business.

msrla - 4-4-2006 at 02:44 PM

Alaska is obviously NOT one of the airlines offerning to assist:

"Thank your for contacting Alaska Airlines regarding your reservation on Aero California. Alaska Airlines has no ticketing or baggage agreement with Aero California and we are not accepting their tickets.

For further assistance, please contact our Reservation Department at 1-800-252-7522. If replying by email, please include previous messages without attachments.

Thank you for contacting Alaska Airlines.

Paquita Barrett
Reservations Support"

Release: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A de C.V. (GAP) Announcement

BajaNews - 4-4-2006 at 03:45 PM

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&ST...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Aeroportuario
del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC) (BMV: GAP) ("the Company" or "GAP")
announced that on Sunday, April 2, 2006, the Mexican Ministry of
Communications and Transportation (SCT) suspended the operations of
Aerocalifornia Airlines ("Aerocalifornia"). The SCT indicated that the
suspension of operations was "due to a series of findings in a recent review
of the company" by the Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) that Aerocalifornia did
not comply with certain security standards. The SCT granted the airline a term
of 90 days to correct its noncompliance in order to resume operations.

During fiscal year 2005, Aerocalifornia operated in 10 of the 12 airports
managed by GAP, representing approximately 11% of the Company's total terminal
passenger traffic and approximately 8.9% of total operations. During 2005,
Aerocalifornia's highest traffic levels in terms of number of passengers and
flight frequencies were at the Tijuana, Guadalajara and La Paz airports.

GAP expects that in the event that Aerocalifornia were not able to resume
operations immediately, the volume of terminal passengers serviced by
Aerocalifornia would be absorbed by alternate carriers (such as low-cost
carriers) and therefore would be eventually recovered by GAP. Additionally,
GAP anticipates that passengers would resume their travel plans when
Aerocalifornia re-initiates operations.

Currently, other carriers are honoring passenger tickets on
Aerocalifornia.

[Edited on 4-4-2006 by BajaNews]

WHAT other airlines?

msrla - 4-4-2006 at 04:21 PM

I keep reading this same thing over and over in these news reports,, yet haven't found ANY other airline honoring aerocal tickets???? :?: Does anyone know WHICH airlines are supposedly doing this?

aldosalato - 4-4-2006 at 06:12 PM

Have you ever thought why Aerocalifornia was the only airline in the world without a website?

Now you have the answer. FINAL.

Mike Supino - 4-4-2006 at 06:19 PM

OUCH!

msmamrim - 4-4-2006 at 07:02 PM

Companies that are honoring aerocalifornia tickets: Aeromexico, Mexicana, Azteca, Aviacsa, Interjet, Volaris, Aeromar.

Some companies are not charging anything, others are charging the difference, and yet others like Aeromexico are charging $500 pesos per ticket plus I.V.A

Check the companies' websites to see if they fly the same route and if so, call to ask for their specific policy.

Good Luck!!

Won't know till Friday

Juan del Rio - 4-5-2006 at 12:40 PM

I called Aero California's LAX airport office this afternoon with no response. Then I tried Aero California's Loreto's Airport office and spoke directly with Teresita. She said that they will not know if they are flying again till Friday. Stay tuned....

JESSE - 4-5-2006 at 02:28 PM

Unless someone in aerocalifornia comes up with a really good plan to buy new airplanes, better their service, and modernize their marketing and sales in less than 6 months, it will die.

msrla - 4-5-2006 at 04:58 PM

Lencho, at what location did they go the ticket office for aeromexico? did they try to call beforehand and inquire, or they just went down?

Bruce R Leech - 4-5-2006 at 06:28 PM

I had herd a couple weeks ago that they were going to Fold in June or July any way. but the source can not be credited as more than a rummer.

flyfishinPam - 4-5-2006 at 07:42 PM

This is from ASTA net (American Society of Travel Agents)

ARC Suspends Aero California: Last PED 04/02/06

The Airline Reporting Corp. (ARC) has announced that it is suspending its agreement with Aero California and that it will cease processing JR-validated transactions, following completion of processing for the sales period ending (PED) 04-02-06. Travel agents who wish to submit Aero California transactions to ARC MUST include transactions in the PED 04/02/06 sales report. ARC advises that JR-validated transactions submitted after PED 04-02-06, will be returned unprocessed and should be directed to the attention of:

Aero California
Revenue Accounting
7300 World Way West
Los Angeles, CA 90045
310-647-6126

KNBC TV in Los Angeles reported Monday that the Mexican government suspended Aero California?s operations in Mexico Sunday, due to safety concerns and as a result all Aero California flights from Los Angeles Intl. have been cancelled. The airline offered flights to 22 Mexican cities and Los Angeles. ASTA will update this news as more
information becomes available at: http://www.astanet.com/members/memberalert.asp. sorry you have to have a password to get into that link!

I would have posted this yesterday but I went fishing :yes:
According to Sudcaliforiano Aero MExico will be picking up Guadalajara and La Paz immediately. The good news is that they are supposed to honor the Aero Cal tickets. Look into it- Aero Mexico 1-800-237-6639

I would be surprized as hell if Aero Cal even flies again

Good luck

[Edited on 4-6-2006 by flyfishinPam]

Bruce R Leech - 4-5-2006 at 08:26 PM

I also would be surprised as hell if Aero Cal even flies again from what I'm hearing from people that work at the Loreto airport.

msmamrim - 4-5-2006 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by msmamrim
Companies that are honoring aerocalifornia tickets: Aeromexico, Mexicana, Azteca, Aviacsa, Interjet, Volaris, Aeromar.

Some companies are not charging anything, others are charging the difference, and yet others like Aeromexico are charging $500 pesos per ticket plus I.V.A


what's your source on that? Do you know anyone who has actually cashed in on it? A friend just attempted to do so with AeroMexico and was told by ticket personnel that no way are they doing that unless a formal agreement is struck with AeroCalifornia.

--Larry


Hi,

I've been reading in spanish articles on-line from several Mexican newspapers since Monday--that is were I got the info I posted. I've read in many papers how on Sunday, when Aerocalifornia was grounded, 90 % of ticket holders were able to get to their destination on other airlines. Source:
http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_n...

Also, I called the toll free number for Aeromexico Tuesday morning and the agent I spoke with said Aeromexico's would take Aerocalifornia ticket holders if there was space available on their route and the cost would be $500 pesos per ticket plus IVA.
But I think things are changing by the hour......I just read another article saying that Aeromexico was now charging between $700 and $800 pesos.
Source:http://www.economista.com.mx/articulos/2006-04-05-10543

Maria

Phil C - 4-6-2006 at 05:41 AM

AeroQuebrada :lol::lol::lol::lol:

msrla - 4-6-2006 at 10:33 PM

Went to LAX tonite to see if anyone would "honor" (if that's what you'd like to call it) our AeroCal tix. Mexicana was offering a charge of $149 each leg of your aerocal trip...... UP UNTIL APRIL 24th..... being that we were supposed to fly May 6th, we were not included in that offer, but we could out and out "buy a r/t ticket for $500 LAX to Cabo"....needless to say we walked away emptyhanded. I inquired "why April 24th? Aerocal was given 90 days" which was met with "well our memo here says we are allowed to do this "exchange" until April 24th, at which time Aerocal needs to respond and figure out what they are doing".... :rolleyes:

"Aero Sometime"...Friday, April 7th update:

Juan del Rio - 4-7-2006 at 10:18 AM

I spoke with Teresita at Aero California's Loreto Airport Operation office this morning via phone. She said no flights this weekend and that on Monday, they were expecting a, "resolution of the situation" and hope to be flying on Tuesday, April 11th.

Again, not much hope, but it's the only information I could get since the LAX, Aero California's Airport operations office does not pick up their phone.

villadelfin - 4-8-2006 at 10:25 PM

Aerocalifornia has been permitted to put 4 planes back into service. In the mean time, 9 airlines are picking up the slack but you must pay $60-$100 to the airline that honors the ticket. Any Mexican travel agency can help. You can also get your credit card company to refund the ticket price. (Info pulled from El Sudcalifonian, the daily newspaper in La Paz)

msrla - 4-8-2006 at 11:56 PM

Villadelfin, regarding the 4 planes, do you know which routes or have any details???

villadelfin - 4-9-2006 at 07:19 AM

I'll check today n get back to you

villadelfin - 4-9-2006 at 07:46 AM

msrla, this is an electronically translated page from "la journada" published today. I have not found when they will resume or their routes.

check with www.profeco.gob.mx and look for a reference to aerocalifornia. Click on it and it will give you a pdf chart of what airlines are covering routes for aerocalifornia, the extra charges, the routes, and how long they are offering to do so.
It is in spanish but easy to figure out what they indicate


Domingo 9 of April of 2006
The governor was notified by Carlos Abascal
They confirm in BCS resumption of operations of Aerocalifornia
RAYMUNDO LEON CORRESPONDENT
La Paz, BCS, 8 of April. The government of the state confirmed east Saturday the partial resumption of the operations of Aerocalifornia with the four airplanes that were not subject to observations in the audit practiced by the Aerona'utica Main directorate Civil (DGAC).
It indicated that the airline will gradually incorporate to its operations those airships whose deficiencies are overcome, until obtaining that the service recovers in its totality.
In a press official notice, one inquired that the governing Narcissus Ag?ndez Monta?o received this information from the secretary of Interior, Carlos Abascal, and immediately notified the airline, to which requested to make contact with the enemy to the brevity with the secretary of Communications and Transportes (SCT), Pedro Cerisola.
Ag?ndez Monta?o made a public recognition to the disposition of the holders of Interior and the SCT take care of its managements, to those who it let know of the serious social conflict and economic that represents for South Baja California the suspension of operations of decreed Aerocalifornia the 2 of last April.
It called to the airlines that cover the state to act with responsibility and to be shared in common with the users of Aerocalifornia, respecting tariffs and avoiding any increase before this problem.
In addition, one occurred to know that the agent chief executive maintained to an encounter with a commission of workers of air and land of Aerocalifornia, those who reiterated that his government will be an ally in his fight so that its source of work stays.
He made emphasis in which this problem does not have nor can be politicized, since it only complicar?a the solution, caused by an emanated decision of the federal government and whom the state administration is totally other people's.
The document maintains that Ag?ndez Narcissus considered in that encounter that a fast exit to the conflict would be the resumption of operations with the airplanes that can to fly, with the commitment to correct to the greater brevity the observations done by the DGAC.
By its side, the Federal Office of the judge advocate general of Protection to the Consumer (Profeco) confirmed the partial reactivation of the company and said that the next one already will be able to fly four airplanes.
Rigoberto Garayzar Asiain, state delegate of the Profeco, said that at least 100 people have interposed denunciations of breach of the service, reason why demand the return of its money, even and when the airline resumes operations.

aldosalato - 4-9-2006 at 08:40 AM

News of resumption of flight has been dismissed today on EL PENINSULAR local newspaper.
It was just more "MA?ANA SOUP"

villadelfin - 4-9-2006 at 01:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by villadelfin
Aerocalifornia has been permitted to put 4 planes back into service. In the mean time, 9 airlines are picking up the slack but you must pay $60-$100 to the airline that honors the ticket. Any Mexican travel agency can help. You can also get your credit card company to refund the ticket price. (Info pulled from El Sudcalifonian, the daily newspaper in La Paz)


Careful-- quoting anything from the Sudcaliforniano without SERIOUS checks as to its veracity, knocks about 10 points off one's credibility. On a scale of 1 to 10. :biggrin:

--Larry

Larry, I did verify that the info came from the Profeco website...but tell me more about el Sudcalifornian

Fluff y mas fluff

flyfishinPam - 4-10-2006 at 02:26 PM

So what will Sudcaliforniano do with that ever interesting Airport Arrivals and Departures page now? :lol:

villadelfin - 4-10-2006 at 02:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by aldosalato
News of resumption of flight has been dismissed today on EL PENINSULAR local newspaper.
It was just more "MA?ANA SOUP"


I was mighty curious about the Peninsular, so I checked it out today and guess what. Page 6 has an article that says the exact same about Aerocalifornia, that they will be permitted to put four planes back in the air. However, since the FAA has denied them permission to fly the skies over good ol USA, I'm not holding my breath. Somone today put out a theory that the airline's owner would rather bankrupt the company and then reopen it under a different name rather than go through the trouble of revamping the planes.:!:

msrla - 4-10-2006 at 08:03 PM

Looks like Aeromexico has picked up some non stop flights flying from LAX to La Paz for $294 r/t. This is the published fare only through the end of April, and since WE are travelling beginning of May, we'll still have to sit tight, but this looks promising! So good news for anyone travelling from LAX to LAP in April, beats having to fly to cabo for $500 r/t and, it sure beats having to trade in your aerocal ticket for $149 for each leg of your trip with the other airlines.This way, just buy the fare out and out on Aeromex and then let your credit card company fight out the aerocal ticket....:tumble:

Aeromexico Announces Non-Stop Service from Los Angeles to La Paz in April 2006

BajaNews - 4-11-2006 at 02:09 PM

http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=5938&...

Houston, TX--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--April 11, 2006--Aeromexico, Mexico?s largest airline, announced today, that it has added new service from Los Angeles to La Paz starting April 12 through April 30, 2006. Aeromexico has added the three weekly non-stop flights from Los Angeles International Airport to La Paz on the Baja Peninsula in an effort to assist those passengers whose travel plans may have been disrupted by Aerocalifornia?s recent service suspension by aviation authorities.

?Travelers with plans to La Paz from Los Angeles during the month of April need not forgo their travel plans,? said Jose Kuri, senior vice president of Aeromexico?s U.S. division. ?Aeromexico is pleased to be able to assist those affected travelers with immediate travel needs by adding non-stop service to La Paz throughout the rest of April.?

The new Aeromexico flights from Los Angeles to La Paz are open for booking for travel begins April 12, 2006 through the end of the month. The new route will operate according to the following schedule:

Route: Los Angeles ? La Paz
Flight No.: AM 443
Departure Time: 3:35 PM
Arrival Time: 6:40 PM
Frequency: Wed., Thurs., Sun.

Route: La Paz ? Los Angeles
Flight No.: AM 442
Departure Time: 7:40 PM
Arrival Time: 8:55 PM
Frequency: Wed., Thurs., Sun.

In addition to the airline?s convenient schedules, passengers will enjoy Aeromexico?s superior on-time performance, traditional Mexican hospitality, and complimentary c-cktail and full meal service available in both Clase Premier and coach class seating.

For more information and complete flight schedules from all U.S. gateways served by Aeromexico, please visit Aeromexico?s new, bi-lingual Web site at: http://www.aeromexico.com/usa

Doesn't look like they are flying this month...

Juan del Rio - 4-14-2006 at 02:43 PM

Aero California flight reservations actually called me this afternoon to say my April 23rd flight is cancelled to Loreto. I spoke with Iliana from Aero Cal/La Paz calling center. She said that they would get back to me in the next two weeks to advise "change of plan's". When I asked if I could simply get a refund, she said someone would get back to me in two weeks...She had no further information to provide.

Bruce R Leech - 4-14-2006 at 04:27 PM

no refunds that is the big hint about how financially solvent they are.

villadelfin - 4-15-2006 at 01:34 PM

At least some of those folk are still working. But I wonder if they are still being paid

msrla - 4-17-2006 at 04:59 PM

Anyone in La Paz or ? have any updates on Aerocal, or about aeromex extending their La Paz service through May??? :?:

We are remaining hopeful to be heading that way on or around May 6th, hope springs eternal???!?!:rolleyes:

MSZULCK - 4-18-2006 at 11:00 AM

Recently, Mr. Ryan, from Ryan Airways, has been visiting La Paz because he is planning to start a new low cost airline in this part of the world together with some Mexican investors. Ryan Air has a very good reputation in Europe, where they operate. Frequently I was flying Ryanair, like from Barcelona to Paris, a two hours flight, for 9,99 Euros which is less than 15 USD. Unbelievable prices when you are able to book in time. They use brand new planes, those fabulous Airbuses, and have a perfect record flying on time. It seems Ryanair Mexico will start in September 2006. MSK

Will Aerocalifornia disappear?

Pompano - 4-18-2006 at 01:40 PM

msrla - 4-18-2006 at 09:22 PM

We read in the spanish papers about some huge protest march in La Paz today by the employees of Aerocalifornia and supporter, over 2500 people? ....anyone out there in La Paz who can tell us about it, enquiring minds would like to know!!!

Worldtraveller - 4-21-2006 at 11:21 PM

Actually, Ryanair is an all-Boeing operator and has one of the world's largest 737 fleets in place and on-order. The following is from their web site.

By the way, the Mexican skies are likely to be filled with numerous low-cost-carriers in addition to Ryanair. Avolar, Click and Volaris are among these.

About Us

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryanair Fleet

Boeing 737-800
Number 82
Capacity 189


Boeing 737-200
Number 9
Capacity 130


Boeing 737-800
143 firm orders
193 aircraft options


www.boeing.com





Quote:
Originally posted by MSZULCK
Recently, Mr. Ryan, from Ryan Airways, has been visiting La Paz because he is planning to start a new low cost airline in this part of the world together with some Mexican investors. Ryan Air has a very good reputation in Europe, where they operate. Frequently I was flying Ryanair, like from Barcelona to Paris, a two hours flight, for 9,99 Euros which is less than 15 USD. Unbelievable prices when you are able to book in time. They use brand new planes, those fabulous Airbuses, and have a perfect record flying on time. It seems Ryanair Mexico will start in September 2006. MSK