Aeromar Bids Farewell After 35 Years of Flying

After four decades flying in Mexico, the US and Cuba, Aeromar announced the termination of all its air operations, as it struggles to pay its debt and workforce. The airline informed it was terminating operations on Feb. 15, 2023, for all its routes following a series of financial problems. While the airline had deployed measures to salvage its finances, including constant efforts to close deals for the long-term function of the company, they were not sufficient.

Aeromar began operations on Nov. 7, 1987, with a flight from Toluca, State of Mexico, to Acapulco, Guerrero. The airline had a four-decade legacy in the Mexican, US and Cuban air space. Aeromar covered 21 destinations in Mexico and three international routes, as the company was committed to regional connectivity and operational security, explained Aeromar via a press release.

The airline struggled with numerous financial problems that were deemed unsolvable, despite Aeromar undertaking constant efforts to close agreements that would allow the company to carry out operations in the long term. The COVID-19 pandemic laid a major blow and the profound financial adjustments that it undertook were not enough to improve the situation, says the company.

Aeromar’s website continues listing flights to Piedras Negras, Ciudad Victoria, Aguascalientes, Tepic, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Colima, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico City, Acapulco, Ixtepec, Villahermosa and Cancun. It also lists flights to McAllen, the US, and Habana, Cuba.

Aeromar said that it poured efforts into helping its more than 700 workers, arguing that base salaries for 2022 were fully compensated before it ceased operations. However, the airline explained that there are still remunerations to be paid for most of its labor force. The company says that the Ministry of Labor is aware of the situation.

Mexico’s Union Association of Aviation Pilots (ASPA) argued via a press release that it had warned authorities of Aeromar’s financial mismanagement and corporate disinterest for months, and blamed the airline for the loss of more than 700 jobs. ASPA highlighted that workers are highly specialized and asked President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and all government agencies involved to support the company’s workforce. The association said that Aeromar’s debt with its pilots totals MX$100 million (US$5.5 million).

Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus have offered help for all passengers affected by Aeromar’s recent closure. The airlines will allow passengers to travel by presenting official identification and their original Aeromar reservation. “We appreciate the solidarity of our colleagues from Aeroméxico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris for providing support to travelers who have a valid reservation with us. It is a sign of the collaboration that distinguishes the union for keeping air service users connected,” says Aeromar via a press release.