Consorcio Aviaxsa, S.A. de C.V., doing business as Aviacsa, was a low-cost airline of Mexico, founded in 1990. The airline operated domestic services until the airline's grounding in 2011, radiating from major hubs at Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara, and international service to Las Vegas in the United States.

According to Mexico's Secretary of Communications and Transportation, as of September 2008, Aviacsa ranked as the seventh-largest Mexican airline in domestic and international flights, down from the third-largest at the end of 2007.

In June and July 2009, the Mexican government repeatedly suspended Aviacsa's operations due to safety issues and unpaid fees. Aviacsa ceased operations on May 4, 2011.

History

Regional era (1990–1994)

Aviacsa was established on May 5, 1990, as a flag carrier airline by the government of the Mexican state of Chiapas, in order to fulfill the transportation needs of the fast-growing communities located in that state.

On September 20, 1990, Aviacsa operated its first flight using an 89-seat British Aerospace 146 between Mexico City and the cities of Tapachula and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, both located in the state of Chiapas. By the end of the year, the airline received a second BAe 146 and initiated service from the two towns in Chiapas to Villahermosa, Mérida, Oaxaca, Chetumal, and Cancún.

In 1991, Aviacsa exchanged its BAe 146s for four 108-seat Fokker 100 aircraft. With these new planes, the airline was able to initiate flights from Monterrey to Mérida and Cancún, as well as service from Mexico City to Mérida and Villahermosa. Between 1992 and 1995, the main operation hubs were Mérida and Tuxtla Gutiérrez.

In December 1999, Aviacsa added four Boeing 737-200s to its fleet.

On July 6, 2009, the Mexican government again grounded the airline, for the third time in five weeks, over claims that the airline owed over 292 million pesos (about $22 million) in fees for use of Mexican airspace. Aviacsa officials accused the government of trying to put them out of business in response to pressure from other Mexican airlines. Some of Aviacsa's routes are now being served by Aeromexico Connect.

Although Aviacsa was slated to resume operations, on May 4, 2011, it announced that ticket sales would not continue, casting doubt on the airline's future.

Corporate affairs

Headquarters

The head office was previously located in García, Nuevo León, Mexico, and later in Mexico City International Airport. The company also had a U.S. office in Houston.

Livery

Aviacsa, since its launch in 1990, featured the stylized head of Pakal — emperor of the Mayan city-state of Palenque — as its corporate image. The logo was modernized several times throughout the airline's history. Aviacsa aircraft also featured a smile on the lower front of the plane.

Slogans

  • 1991–1998: "Los caminos del cielo maya" (The skyways of the Maya)
  • 1998–1999: "Aviacsa ... para todos" (Aviacsa ... for all)
  • 2009–2011: "El cielo vuelve a sonreír" (The sky smiles again)

See also

  • List of defunct airlines of Mexico

References

  • Aviacsa.com (archived)
  • Aviacsa.com.mx (archived)