TORONTO — Aeromexico has a major milestone on the horizon: its 90th anniversary.
It’s nothing short of amazing when a company not only survives, but thrives, through nine decades. And that’s especially true in the airline industry.
With just a couple more months to go before the big day, José Zapata, VP Sales, North America and Latin America at Aeromexico, is sharing his thoughts on Aeromexico’s successes in Canada, where it has been operating for years from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
What is the typical profile of the Canadian traveller who flies on Aeromexico, and what proportion stays in Mexico City vs. those who are in transit and taking advantage of other destinations in your network?
Zapata: “During the last 12 months we have observed a significant increase in leisure travellers on our flights from Canada. This, followed by corporate travellers from Canadian companies doing business in Mexico. Around 45% of passengers stay in Mexico City, while the rest were primarily in transit to leisure destinations.”
Which Canadian airports provide you with the highest number of passengers?
Zapata: “Vancouver, followed by Toronto and Montreal.”
Which of your destinations are the most popular among Canadians?
Zapata: “We’ve noticed that Canadian travellers prefer beach destinations such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco and Los Cabos. In terms of business travel, the main routes for Canadians are Guadalajara and Monterrey.”
Are you seeing a renewed interest from Canadians in summer travel, or are they more interested in winter?
Zapata: “In 2023, Canadian travellers showed a preference for the summer season; with a significant increase in demand, around +16% more passengers, compared to the winter period of 2023-24.”
How important are travel agents to Aeromexico?
Zapata: “For Aeromexico, travel agencies in Canada are important business partners. They represent about 49% of our total sales in the country. It is crucial for us to maintain strong commercial relationships with them to continue growing and achieving our common business goals.
“Our business strategy for this channel is focused on strengthening our role as a preferred partner, supporting our mutual business objectives and continuing to invest in technology to help achieve our goals, such as NDC. A trending technology in the industry that seeks to create closer relationships between agencies and airlines, maximizing our mutual benefits.”
What tools do you make available to agents to help them better sell your flights?
Zapata: “In 2021 we introduced ‘Aeromexico Business’, a dedicated online platform exclusively for travel agents which serves as a centralized information hub to keep them informed with the latest updates on our network, products, and services.
“Moreover, we’ve curated an extensive library with protection policies, ensuring that agents can easily access information regarding any changes in our operations. Continuing our commitment to support travel agents, we are actively developing and providing useful tools to streamline their daily operations.
“Currently, Aeromexico´s contracted agencies can leverage the following functionalities on this portal …
- Ticket Status: Agents can conveniently check the status of a ticket
- Waivers & Favors Report: This feature enables agents to monitor the balance and download a detailed report outlining the usage of waivers and favours
- Group Quoting: Integration with the PROS GSO tool facilitates group quoting, exclusively accessible to accounts previously registered in the tool
- Check-in Cancellation: Agents have the flexibility to cancel the check-in status of flights and release a ticket in order to make changes
- Flight Status: Agents can easily track the status of an Aeromexico flight to keep clients informed
- Name Correction: A convenient tool that allows agents to generate a waiver code on our website to correct names and surnames in a reservation directly with the GDS.”
What are your most recent destinations in Latin America?
Zapata: “Currently, our airline serves a total of 107 routes, 55 domestic and 52
international. In Latin America, we serve 13 destinations. In Central America: San Pedro Sula, Guatemala, San Salvador, Managua and San Jose. In the Caribbean: Havana and Santo Domingo. And in South America: Medellin, Bogota, Lima, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Santiago (as a seasonal route operating from October to May).”
What are the best reasons to fly on Aeromexico, when you live in Canada and want to go to Mexico and/or Latin America?
Zapata: “At Aeromexico, we offer a range of products to meet everyone’s needs. Our valued customers can choose the fare that best suits their preferences and travel requirements, ensuring a personalized journey.
“On our flights to and from Canada, our AM Plus fare includes a more spacious seat, Sky Priority boarding, one checked bag of up to 25 kg, among other benefits. For passengers seeking the highest level of comfort, our Clase Premier product offers personalized service that meets every need. Enjoy an enhanced seat onboard select B737 aircraft, complimentary access to our Salon Premier lounges, SkyPriority check-in and boarding, and two checked bags of up to 32 kg. Every flight includes complimentary snacks, one personal item stored underneath the front seat, and access to free messaging and WiFi on selected flights.
“Our global network is one of our greatest strengths, connecting destinations throughout Mexico and beyond, supported by our robust domestic and international routes and strategic partnerships within the SkyTeam alliance.
With one of the most modern fleets in the industry, we provide state-of-the-art aircraft for our customers. Whether flying from Canada to Mexico on one of our MAX 8 or 9 aircraft, or traveling to long-haul destinations on our Dreamliner, we ensure a seamless and comfortable travel experience.
“We also recognize the unique needs of business travellers and offer Corporate Priority services, which enhance their journey with exclusive benefits.”
Anything to add that you would like travel agents and the industry to know about Aeromexico?
Zapata: “Starting in August, we’re resuming operations to Seoul, South Korea, our second destination in Asia, which marks an exciting chapter for us! After a pause, we’re thrilled to once again connect travellers to the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and dynamic cities of South Korea. As we prepare to relaunch our services, we’re committed to providing exceptional experiences and fostering meaningful connections between people and destinations.
“Also, we’re absolutely thrilled as we approach our 90th anniversary in September! It’s a significant milestone that speaks to our enduring commitment to excellence and our unwavering dedication to providing exceptional service to our passengers.
“We’re immensely grateful for the trust and loyalty our customers have shown us over the past nine decades, and we look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with them. Here’s to many more years of connecting people, cultures,and destinations around the globe!”
This interview originally ran in Profession Voyages, part of The Travelweek Group. For more information about Aeromexico see https://aeromexico.com/en-ca.
