Авиаса: Мексикалық бюджеттік әуежол тарихы

Former Mexican low cost airline

Consorcio Aviaxsa, S. A. de C. V., doing business as Aviacsa, was a low cost airline of Mexico with its headquarters in Hangar 1 of Zone C on the property of Mexico City International Airport in Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City, Mexico. The airline operated domestic services until the airline's grounding, radiating from major hubs at Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara, and international service to Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA. Aviacsa also had a U. S. office in Houston. According to the Department 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. On July 6, 2009, Aviacsa suspended operations due to safety issues. Aviacsa ceased operations on May 4, 2011.

The airline 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. They operated their first flight on September 20, 1990, 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 their 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 their main operation hubs were Mérida and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. In December 1999 the airline acquired four Boeing 737 200s and added them to their 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 have accused the government of trying to put them out of business in response to pressure from other Mexican airlines. Some of their routes are now being served by Aeromexico Connect and Interjet. Although Aviacsa was slated to resume operations, on May 4, 2011, it was announced that ticket sales would not continue, casting doubt on the airline's future.

The head office was previously located in García, Nuevo León, Mexico.

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.