The Mexican airline Aeromar closes due to financial problems and leaves almost 600 workers in suspense

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MEXICO CITY — The small Mexican airline Aeromar announced its closure Wednesday due to financial problems, following its difficulties in recovering from the recession caused by the pandemic.

Aeromar operated 21 routes in Mexico and flew to McAllen and Laredo, in Texas, and Havana, Cuba.

He specialized in routes between Mexico City and beach resorts.

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The airline said in a statement that it had not been able to recover from financial difficulties stemming from the global decline in travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020.

The international airport of Mexico City indicated, for its part, that Aeromar owed some 27.5 million dollars in fees, services and other debts.

Takeoff of an Aeromar plane at the Mexico City International Airport, on January 12, 2018. José Méndez / EFE

The airline did not explain what options would be available to travelers who have already purchased tickets.

It was also unclear what would happen to the company's nearly 600 employees.

The Ministry of Labor indicated that it was managing to see if other airlines could hire Aeromar personnel.

The company was founded in 1987 with a fleet of about ten ATR turboprop aircraft.

It was the second Mexican airline to go bankrupt as a result of the pandemic.

In December 2020, Interjet —a low-cost line— ceased its operations.

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The Aeromar announcement left Mexico with just three major national airlines: Aeroméxico and the low-cost airlines Volaris and Viva Aerobús.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has proposed creating a state airline operated by the armed forces.

He has also angered airline executives with his proposals to allow foreign airlines to operate domestic routes in Mexico.