BillP
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Mexicana cancels all LAX flights for August
If you're flying to Cabo on Mexicana, you best be making some phone calls.
Also, all mexican carriers have been downgraded by the FAA
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http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_ang...
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Traveling to Mexico just got harder as one of the country's leading carriers has canceled flights to Los Angeles International
Airport for the entire month of August. Passengers are now scrambling to make other plans.
Mexicana is eliminating four flights per day at LAX. The airline said it has serious financial problems and is considering bankruptcy. For some
travelers, it means that tickets that have already been purchased may have to be rebooked.
More passengers fly out of LAX on Mexicana than any other foreign-based airline. Now, more than 25 percent of its flights from Los Angeles are being
suspended, affecting travel to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Flights from other California cities are being suspended as well. The airline's parent company is struggling financially, saying that its pilots make
50 percent more than pilots for other Legacy Airlines in the U.S. Also, its flights attendants also earn 32 percent more than other Legacy Airlines
attendants.
The airline wants the pilots and flight attendants to make drastic pay and benefit concessions. They've even offered to sell the airline to the union
for just 1 peso.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded the safety rating for all Mexican carriers, meaning that airlines like AeroMexico and
Mexicana can no longer expand throughout the U.S. and they also can't offer code-sharing agreements with domestic carriers.
That means if you booked a flight to Mexico on American Airlines or Delta Air Lines, your flight could be affected and you may have to rebook some of
those flights.
Customers are urged to check with airlines to see if any changes have been made.
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DianaT
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Really hate to hear that--- Mexicana had such a good reputation and it was our preferred airline when headed south.
Thanks for the post
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vandenberg
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Mexicana also dropped their flights out of Sacramento International.
And, since they were the only outfit with direct flight to a foreign country, Sacramento is now back to Municipal status.
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lookingandbuying
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At least, not yet
Just did a quick search for flights to my favorite places in Mexico. Seems to be lots of available flights at reasonable prices, at least for the
time being. Hopefully, airfares won't increase too much as it would be just another problem for those traveling to Mexico.
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oladulce
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I wonder if canceling the code-share capability of Mexicana will eventually impact the "partner airline" relationship with American's frequent flyer
program? Mexicana is still listed as a partner airline on American's website today. Guess it won't matter anyway if they go bankrupt.
I've been justifying the $$$ I charge on the American Frequent flyer credit card and racking up the air miles looking forward to another trip to
Oaxaca on Mexicana. Hope we get to use the miles for another visit there.
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rocmoc
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Tonight's News reported they have filed for bankruptcy after the Union turned down any cuts or help to the airline. Another kill for the Unions!
rocmoc n AZ/Baja
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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rocmoc
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10857774
rocmoc n AZ/Baja
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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flyfishinPam
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"Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded the safety rating for all Mexican carriers, meaning that airlines like
AeroMexico and Mexicana can no longer expand throughout the U.S. and they also can't offer code-sharing agreements with domestic carriers."
huh? I was under the impression that Mexicana had one of the best safety records in the world and Aero Mexico's fleet is brand new. Now in the case
of Aero California I'd have to agree. But what does this mean to be downgraded based on safety and the penalty is that they can't expand into the US
market or code share with domestic carriers? It sounds like an economic punishment and the safety issue was just thrown in for good measure to make
sure they (Mexico) lose business. I mean if safety was the real issue wouldn't they just be grounded? Its like a soft kill very disturbing but on
the bright side our Loreto Hotel A$S made the right decision not to subsidize Aeromexico from San Diego!
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Bajahowodd
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First off, it is my understanding that Mexicana service between LAX and SJD was not involved. The flights that were suspended were to Guadalajara,
Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City. That said, having now entered bankruptcy, it's anyone's guess what their reorganization will mean.
As for the downgraded safety rating, it is true that Mexicana has an excellent safety record, and does major maintenance for other airlines. it is
true that both Mexicana and AeroMexico have modern fleets. My understanding of the order from the US FAA involved other issues such as Mexican traffic
control, and the like.
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flyfishinPam
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I was curious so looked it up-
http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId...
"A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws
or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the
FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection
procedures."
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Riom
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Mexicana stops selling tickets:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0426297320100805
Doesn't sound like it'll survive.
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elizabeth
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According to today's news, national flights on Mexicana Click and Mexicana Link are not affected...just the international flights.
[Edited on 8-5-2010 by elizabeth]
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vandenberg
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According to the Sacramento Bee, Mexicana reinstated a limited number of flights out of Sacramento.
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wessongroup
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Not surprising.. that they would be from Sacramento...
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Eli
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Well, I have my fingers crossed that they stay afloat. My ticket with them (via Click) is for mid October from Oaxaca to San Jose del Cabo.
In the past, I have had real good luck buying my tickets on sale with them, this one cost me $2,500 pesos complete, which is what I usually pay for
Oax. -SJD.
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Bajahowodd
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Just as in any bankruptcy, they get protection from their outstanding creditors, and can continue business. They should be more reliable and stable
after the bankruptcy filing. they have a great tradition, being the oldest continuously operating airline in North America, and having had Charles
Lindbergh as a pilot, in the day.
Was astounded how they managed to get so deeply in debt. I read one report that stated the ownership was willing to sell the airline to its unions for
one peso with the stipulation that the union would assume the debt.
Personally, inasmuch as the ownership already operates two low cost airlines, we can probably look ahead to a much smaller Mexicana. One of the issues
is that while the low cost carriers like Click run flights no longer than 3-4 hours, Mexicana serves South America and Europe. it's a different animal
when the flight is up to 14 hours.
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BillP
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Stick a fork in 'em, ceasing all operations at midnight.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/business&...
[Edited on 8-28-2010 by BillP]
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The Gull
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Restart Mexicana
California should offer to pay for every illegal alien from Mexico to be given a one way trip back to Mexico on Mexicana airlines. It would solve two
problems simultaneously. Other states could make the same offer and solve their social program deficits, while returning Mexicana to profitability.
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
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wessongroup
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not bad
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Bajahowodd
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This is nothing more than an attempt to squeeze more profit by cutting labor costs. Being in bankruptcy basically protected them from their creditors.
don't see any other need to shut all operations except for punishing the work force. Until recently, Mexicana was owned by Grupo Posadas, Mexico's
largest hotel chain (Fiesta American for instance). The airline was sold to an investment group earlier this year. I'm betting Grupo Posadas made out
OK in the transaction. New owners now trying to reorganize for increased profitability. And taking draconian measures in the process.
My recollection was that their low cost subsidiaries Link and Click were not part of the bankruptcy filing. Remember, they were already non-union and
structured to be competitive with such airlines as Volaris. So, shutting Link and Click too, tells me they're even going to try and squeeze those
employees too.
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