Oh shit...there goes MAzatlan in a few weeks. Keeping our fingers crossed.
Jeff
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/...ap2644067.html
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Associated Press
Update 3: Mexican Officials Shut Down Aerocalifornia
By IOAN GRILLO , 04.03.2006, 09:28 PM
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Mexican aviation officials suspended operations at Aerocalifornia for "systematic" safety problems at the low-cost carrier, telling the airline on Monday that it has 90 days to meet standards or risk losing its operating license.
The government grounded the low-cost airline on Sunday following a two-week review of the company's operations, which discovered that the Aerocalifornia was cannibalizing parts from decommissioned planes, among other safety concerns.
"The problem has escalated to a higher category of deterioration," said Gilberto Lopez, head of aviation for Mexico's Communications and Transport Ministry, at a press conference.
Airline spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.
A woman answering the telephone at an Aerocalifornia office in La Paz, where the airline is based, referred a caller to a different office, where no one answered.
The company couldn't verify how long some parts had been used in various planes and couldn't demonstrate that employees - ranging from mechanics to pilots - had received the proper training, he said.
"Due to the conditions encountered, it wasn't possible to guarantee the security of the company's operations in a sustainable way," Lopez said.
If Aerocalifornia can't correct most of the deficiencies and "reconstruct practically all of its system," the government will start the process of revoking its operating license, he said.
Beyond the ongoing costs of maintaining its fleet, Lopez added that "it will require a big investment to restructure the airline."
Meanwhile, passengers who have already bought tickets are trying to rearrange plans for trips during one of Mexico's busiest travel periods, Easter week.
Other airlines are offering Aerocalifornia customers tickets at a discounted price, averaging 500 pesos ($58).
Lopez praised the "extraordinary response" of local carriers, saying that 90 percent of Aerocalifornia passengers stranded Sunday had found an alternate flight.
At a sales office in Mexico City, several frustrated customers were lining up to look for ways to get to their destinations after their flights were canceled.
"It was a big surprise. They didn't call or anything to advise me that it was canceled," said Enrique Zuniga, a 58-year-old writer who had been booked on a 2,400-peso ($220) flight Monday from Mexico City to his home city of Chihuahua.
"I hope they have the good will to compensate me somehow."
The suspension follows several inspections by federal authorities beginning more than a year ago, when the airline was instructed to make a series of changes to improve operations.
Aerocalifornia was one of several low-cost airlines to emerge in recent years, offering passengers cheaper alternatives to the country's dominant Aeromexico and Mexicana carriers.
The airline offered flights to 22 Mexican cities and Los Angeles.
On Monday, five Aerocalifornia planes were on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport, said Harold Johnson, a spokesman for Los Angeles World Airports. Last year, the airport handled about 280,000 Aerocalifornia passengers, he said.
Passengers were quoted by Los Angeles TV stations Sunday as saying they had boarded airplanes and then were suddenly told to get off. They said some passengers received refunds but others did not.
AP reporters Lisa J. Adams in Mexico City and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
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