Mexicana Resumes Ticketing, Some Service

Last week, Grupo Mexicana reported that talks with its pilots’ and flight attendants’ unions had progressed, and that flight schedules, while reduced, would be reinstated and posted on Mexicana’s Web site.

“As far as possible, Mexican Airlines will be reinstating flights previously suspended in the interests of passengers,” stated the company.

A senior executive told the Wall Street Journal last week that the airline had restarted ticket sales online, as well as through ticket offices.  

Adolfo Crespo, senior vice president of customer service and corporate communications told the Journal that Mexicana plans to resume indirect sales through travel agencies, beginning with those using Amadeus.

In conjunction with the resumption of ticket sales, Mexicana also reinstated six of its previously canceled flights, though only over the weekend. The airline continues to operate a severely reduced schedule, with flights to Madrid, London, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montreal, Vancouver, San Antonio, Chicago, and Fresno (among others) all suspended until August 31.

Mexicana filed for bankruptcy in Mexico and the United States on August 2, and halted ticket sales on Aug. 4. The airline continues to negotiate with its union and seek financial support. The airline has indicated it needs a cash influx of between $100 million to $150.

Agents Wary

“We are cautious when situations happen like this and monitor the situation,” Darlene Fisher, president of Fare Deals, Ltd. told Travel Market Report. “We will find other alternatives if they stop flying.”

Fisher pointed out that situations like airline bankruptcy are one the reasons her agency strongly recommends travel insurance to clients.

“We will continue to book Mexico as it is a major tourist destination for people in the U.S. and there are many other airline choices,” she added.

Current Funjet Vacations customers will remain  booked on a Mexicana Airlines scheduled air flight or Funjet’s Chicago O’Hare to Cancun Value Flights,” said a spokesperson.

“We also continue to offer vacation packages to Cancun from Chicago and other U.S. origin cities on a variety of other scheduled air carriers.  If there is a disruption of service with Mexicana Airlines, Funjet will work with our customers to find alternate service and preserve our mutual clients’ vacation investments, although the customer would be responsible for any increase in price for alternate service options. Clients could also cancel their vacation if they choose to at that time,” she said.
 
Pleasant Holidays, which has partnered with Mexicana for more than 16 years has been affected by Mexicana’s problems, but has been able to accommodate all affected clients. 

“The situation with Mexicana suspending ticket sales and canceling flights has allowed Pleasant Holidays to demonstrate further its key strength of exceptional customer service,” said Jack E. Richards, president and CEO of the company.

“Travelers booked on the airline through Pleasant Holidays have either been rebooked on other carriers or offered refunds.”
 
Richards added “We hope that filing bankruptcy provides them the means to achieve the restructuring they need to move forward as a better carrier in the future.”
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