Avolar Aerolíneas, S.A. de C.V. is a low-cost airline based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, with corporate offices in Tijuana. The airline operates an extensive domestic network of 17 cities as of November 2007. Avolar's main base is located at the sole large-hangar facility at the General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport in Tijuana[1].
History
Avolar began operations on 7 September 2005[1] with a single Boeing 737-500 aircraft. The airline is often considered the first low-cost airline in Mexico, though other low-cost airlines such as Click Mexicana, Interjet, and Volaris have since surpassed Avolar's growth. Avolar's aircraft are painted in an orange and white "wave" livery designed by Benjamin Najar. Avolar presently holds the record for the lowest fare promotion in Mexican history at 1 USD. As of November 2007, Avolar operates a fleet of eight Boeing 737 aircraft, comprising of five 737-300 series, and three 737-500 series. Plans reportedly exist between Boeing and Avolar for a direct purchase of at least twenty 737-700 series aircraft[2].
Avolar's passenger reservations and management are provided by Radixx International[3], centralizing all of their sales, passenger reservations and management into a single system including online booking through Avolar's website, which in November 2nd 2007, due to server maintenance[4][5], was taken offline forwarding users directly to its booking engine powered by Radixx without any problem until the site was brought back online November 12 2007.
As of July 12, 2008, Avolar Airlines has changed their reservation system from Radixx to that of KIU Systems. This change was brought forth as the company struggles to restructure their internal infrastructure in order to remain profitable. Affected by rising fuel prices, the changes taking place have resulted in a move from the traditional low-cost ABC model to that of a hybrid structure. Avolar's restructuring has resulted in a drastic cancellation of routes and terminating without compensation about half their employees.
On August 4, 2008, the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transports suspended all Avolar operations, due to tax debts leaving thousands stranded at Tijuana Airport[6]. On August 8, 2008, the airline resumed all flights[7].
On late night of October 3, 2008, Mexico's aviation authorities again suspended Avolar operations; the airline canceled flights from Tijuana International Airport that were bound for Guadalajara and Cuernavaca at that time without any previous warn, leaving stranded 160 passengers at the airport.[8] However, 13 hours later, on October 4, the airline ressumed all services normally.[9]
Destinations
New Destination will be LAP to LAX and LAX to LAP effective on Nov 15, 2008.
Fleet
The Avolar fleet includes the following aircraft (as of 4 October 2008) [2]:
Since Sep 22, 2008 Avolar purchased Nova Air in an affort to start operating to / from United States. Visit: www.novaair.com.mx
Avolar plans to order 20 Boeing 737-700s[10] to strengthen its domestic network and launch a number of international routes to the USA and Canada. The airline plans take delivery of these aircraft between 2008 to 2010.
External links
References
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Airlines of Mexico |
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| Int'l and Domestic |
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| Cargo Only |
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