At the end of 2017, Aeromexico had a fleet of 131 airplanes composed of seven different family types; nowadays, it has 118 aircraft of five families. It is safe to say that the Mexican carrier’s plane composition has changed quite a bit in the last few years; some changes happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but others had different origins. Let’s investigate further.
How was Aeromexico’s fleet in 2017?
On December 31, 2017, Aeromexico had 131 planes. Its fleet was composed of three Boeing 777, 15 B787 Dreamliners, 16 B737-700, 38 B737-800, 13 Embraer E170/175, and 46 E190.
By that time, Aeromexico was eagerly awaiting to receive its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Two months later, on February 28, the Mexican airline received its first MAX 8 unit. The arrival of this plane was part of the fleet renewal plan of Aeromexico.
At that time, Andres Conesa, Aeromexico’s CEO, said,
“Fifteen years ago, we started a very aggressive renewal process of our fleet. Between 2002 and 2003, Aeromexico’s fleet had an average age of about 15 years. With the arrival of the MAX (and other planes), the age is down to seven years.”
Between 2017 and 2018, Aeromexico retired and rejected the leasing contracts of several planes. Maybe the most iconic of them were the Boeing 777-200s.
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The exit of the B777
On February 26, 2018, just two days before the arrival of the MAX, Aeromexico operated its last 777 flight between Buenos Aires and Mexico City.
The Mexican airline received its first of four Boeing 777-200 in 2006. Aeromexico used the triple seven on long-haul routes, serving Madrid, Paris, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
Among the three different widebodies Aeromexico has had (767, 777, and 787), the triple seven was, in terms of quantity, the least successful.
Bye-bye to the Embraers 145
At the start of 2017, Aeromexico had 64 Embraer planes. It possessed 12 ERJ-145, 13 E170/175, and 39 E190. Fast-forward four years, and the airline only has 47 Embraer 190. And more changes are quickly coming.
In 2017’s first quarter, Aeromexico quickly retired all its ERJ-145 fleet. Meanwhile, the E190 family grew to 47 by the start of 2018.
The COVID pandemic led to further changes
Nothing really changed until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Mexican airline. As we know, Aeromexico is currently under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Along with that reorganization, the carrier has retired and rejected leasing contracts of several aircraft. The first ones to go were the Embraer 170 planes. Aeromexico has zero currently.
The Embraer 190 fleet was still at 47 by the end of 2021’s first quarter. Nevertheless, that will change, as confirmed to Simple Flying by senior maintenance engineers at Aeromexico. During yesterday’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 tour, we could see two E190 stored and ready to leave the airline.
Aeromexico has also been reducing its Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 fleets consistently. At the start of 2018, the carrier had 15 B737-700s and 38 B737-800.
Nowadays, only five 737-700s remain, but all are leaving the company soon. Additionally, there were only 30 737-800s, but this aircraft will have a second stint. In the last few weeks, the Mexican airline has received three 737-800s previously used by Norwegian and TUI.
Which new planes has Aeromexico received?
In the past few weeks, Aeromexico has been actively receiving new aircraft.
According to ch-aviation, Aeromexico has received eight new planes in 2021 (plus the three used 737-800s). The carrier has taken delivery of three B737 MAX 8 and five B737 MAX 9.
The airline still has to receive five 737 MAX 8, four 737-800, ten 737 MAX 9, and four B787-9 Dreamliners.
What do you think of Aeromexico’s fleet plan? Let us know in the comments.
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