Aero California

Infobox_Airline
airline = Aero California

logo_size = 250
fleet_size = 13
destinations = 17
IATA = JR
ICAO = SER
callsign = AEROCALIFORNIA
parent = privately held
founded = 1960cite book|last=Norwood|first=Tom|coauthors=Wegg, John|title=North American Airlines Handbook|publisher=Airways International|location=Sandpoint, ID|date=2002|edition=3rd|isbn=0-9653993-8-9|url=http://www.airwaysnews.com]
ceased = 2008
headquarters = La Paz, Mexico
key_people = Raúl Aréchiga Espinoza (CEO)
hubs = Mexico City International Airport
focus_cities = Don Miguel Hidalgo Int'l Airport
Gen. Abelardo L. R. Int'l Airport
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
website = [http://www.aerocalifornia.com.mx/ www.aerocalifornia.com.mx (OFFLINE)]

Aero California, S.A. de C.V. was an airline based in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its main base was in Manuel Márquez de León International Airport, La Pazcite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 46 | date= 2007-03-27] . The airline served 17 destinations in Mexico

History

The airline started in 1960 as an air taxi company based at La Paz with the name of Servicios Aereos and flying Cessna twins and Beechcraft 18. By the early 1980s Douglas DC-3s were added to the fleet as domestic charters grew. Scheduled services began in June 1982 between La Paz, Tijuana and Hermosillo using Convair 340 aircraft and later DC9-15s. In 1989 the first international scheduled service was started between Los Angeles and La Paz, Loreto and Los Cabos. By 1995 the airline fleet was being upgraded to all-jet types with Douglas DC-9-14/15 jets and the longer Douglas DC-9-32s comprising the fleet.Fact|date=April 2007

On 3 April 2006 the federal Secretariat of Communications and Transport suspended all operations after the civil aviation authorities determined the airline was not complying with its safety standards. It was given 90 days to correct the problems and resumed services on August 11,2006, nevertheless, the Mexican authorities did not allow the airline to keep operating with older aircraft such as their DC-9-15 fleet. After the shutdown the airline terminated its international service.

Aerocalifornia was suspended again by the Ministry of Transport and Communicatios of Mexico on 23 July 2008 because of unpayed debts the airline has with airports with a sum of USD$25,900,000. The ministry said they will allow the airline to fly again when the money is paid. In July 24 2008, the Ministry grounded all AeroCalifornia operations, and also ExpressJet Airlines, but the latter has since paid its debt and resumed normal operationscite news |title = Mexico lifts ExpressJet flight ban, keeps Aero California grounded | publisher = Associated Press | date = 2008-07-25 | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/24/business/LA-Mexico-Grounded-Airline.php | accessdate = 2008-07-31 ] .

On August 2, it was informed that Aerocalifornia will cease operations and probably will go bankruptcy, however there has not been any official word from the company. Its slots at Mexico City International Airport were taken by Interjet.

Destinations

Fleet

Aero California had one of the oldest commecial fleets in Mexico, with an average fleet of 37.4 years old

*13 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Series 32

Retired Fleet

*Aerocomander 560
*Beachcraft C-645
*Cessna 185
*Cessna 206
*Cessna 402
*Convair 340
*Douglas DC-3
*McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Series 14/15

References

External links

* [http://www.aerocalifornia.com.mx/ Aero California]