Business · Companies · 7 hrs ago
Mexican airlines cut fleets and shift capacity toward US routes
Viva Aerobus and Volaris plan to remove about 32 aircraft from their fleets between late 2026 and 2027, while Aeroméxico plans to pause fleet growth in 2027.
The changes could cut about 10% of the airlines’ combined fleet, as they seek to protect finances from high jet fuel costs and weak domestic demand.
Viva also faces fewer available aircraft because of preventive engine inspections and supply-chain problems.
With fewer planes, airlines may reduce seats and local routes, and some passengers have been told their trips could be changed or cancelled.
Volaris and Viva are shifting more capacity to the United States, where they say demand and returns are stronger; Volaris plans for international flights to make up almost half its fourth-quarter capacity.
Volaris also plans to delay aircraft deliveries and add US routes, while Viva says it will manage capacity and costs carefully.
The fleet changes are expected to continue through 2027, with the airlines monitoring demand and fuel prices.
Viva Aerobus and Volaris plan to remove about 32 aircraft from their fleets between late 2026 and 2027, while Aeroméxico plans to freeze fleet growth in 2027.
The moves are expected to reduce Mexico’s total airline fleet by about 10 percent.
The airlines say they are responding to higher fuel costs, weaker domestic demand and, for Viva, aircraft availability problems.
Viva Aerobus and Volaris plan to reduce domestic capacity and shift more seats to routes to the United States.
Volaris plans to increase international seats by 20 percent in the fourth quarter and expects international operations to account for almost half of its capacity.
- Who
- Viva Aerobus, Volaris and Aeroméxico.
- What
- The airlines are reducing or freezing fleet growth and shifting capacity toward international routes, particularly to the United States.
- When
- Fleet changes are planned from late 2026 through 2027. Volaris’s international capacity increase is planned for the fourth quarter.
- Where
- Mexico and routes between Mexico and the United States.
- Why
- The airlines cite higher fuel costs and weaker domestic demand. Viva also cites engine inspections and supply-chain problems affecting aircraft availability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Volaris plans to bring forward the start of five new US routes from December.
Volaris expects international operations to account for almost half of its capacity and plans a 20 percent increase in seats to destinations outside Mexico.
Viva Aerobus and Volaris plan to remove about 32 aircraft from their fleets.
Aeroméxico plans to freeze growth in its aircraft fleet.
- Planned fleet cuts
- About 32 aircraft at Viva Aerobus and Volaris
- Expected fleet reduction
- About 10 percent of the total fleet
- Volaris aircraft
- About 17 planned removals
- Viva Aerobus aircraft
- About 15 planned removals
- Volaris international capacity
- Almost half of fourth-quarter capacity
- Volaris seat increase abroad
- 20 percent in the fourth quarter
What people are saying
We reallocated capacity to markets with greater demand, pricing and profitability. This includes bringing forward five new US routes from December to October and launching service to Atlanta, Boston, Nashville, Raleigh and Washington. As a result, international operations are expected to represent almost half of fourth-quarter capacity, the highest level in Volaris’s history.
Viva has had to make adjustments to its schedule because of lower aircraft availability, resulting from the new preventive inspection requirement for Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, as well as supply-chain disruptions.
We will maintain discipline in capacity adjustments amid high fuel prices and strict cost management. We will monitor demand and fuel trends, and prioritize preserving liquidity.
Our plan includes scheduled lease returns and planned aircraft sales. At the same time, we rescheduled the 27 Airbus deliveries and postponed 28 deliveries until 2032.