The world’s most punctual airline has just had the most profitable year in its 90-year history. Those were among the key messages heard by the trade this week when AeroMexico hosted its annual partners lunch at Cavita, a Michelin Guide restaurant in London.
“We’re in a healthy profitable position right now; 2024 was the best year ever in our history,” said Mark Mooren, Aeromexico’s UK and Benelux country manager.
Sonia Oliveras, director of sales for Europe, explained how entering the Chapter 11 process during the pandemic had given the airline an opportunity to reset: “We adjusted our crew, our network and our aircraft. It made us a more efficient airline,” she said.
“Our first quarter of 2025 was a little lower than 2024 but still very profitable,” she added. “That’s the message we want to give, we’re on a consistent growth trajectory and our earnings are being reinvested.”
“Before we were looked at with some scepticism, now we’re an example looked at by others, and we’re really proud of that.”
Mooren expanded upon the reasons that he said made AeroMexico a market leader. “We’re the only full-service carrier in Mexico, with airport lounges, a frequent flyer programme, entertainment onboard and so on. We have a very large domestic and international network; very stable leadership – our CEO, Andres Conesa, has been in post since 2015; and Delta is proving a strong and stable partner for us, along with the SkyTeam Airline Alliance. We’re taking over a lot of the good things that Delta does.”
Drawing on the punctuality accolade, awarded by aviation analyst Cirium, Oliveras added: “You can’t imagine what a milestone that is, especially in a country with such weather inclemency as Mexico.”
Oliveras said that Europe was a focus for head office; the network currently includes five daily Madrid flights, a daily flight from London Heathrow, and also direct services from Amsterdam, Paris and Rome.
“We will probably increase our presence in Europe next year,” she said. “I would rather say new destinations rather than increasing frequency, but I can’t confirm that right now.”
Mooren pointed out that AeroMexico currently has the only year-round daily direct flight from London, as British Airways’ service switches to five times weekly in wintertime. AeroMexico was also the most punctual airline at Heathrow last year, he said.
“I hope at some point we can increase London-Mexico frequencies or perhaps even open a new destination like Manchester,” he teased, adding. “But that will take a long time.”
Trade partners gathered at the event were full of praise for the airline.
Paul Spencer, managing director of Focus Travel Partnership, said: “In the last 20 years, there’s been a massive change in quality [from AeroMexico] and I appreciate that from a business perspective.”
Ricardo Beeny, Latin America specialist at Exsus, added: “I’d also like to compliment AeroMexico on your business class. I’ve managed to switch-sell customers from British Airways on that basis.”
The unknown Mexico
The AeroMexico team partnered with the Mexican region of Chihauhua for the lunch event, and Polo Sanchez-Valle, representative for Chihuahua in the UK, spoke about how Mexico is having ‘a moment’.
“The world situation makes Latin America feel like a safer holiday destination right now. The peso is still quite low, so it’s good value for money. And for Europeans, Mexico still feels quite exotic, but with some familiarity, through its Spanish heritage.”
Sanchez-Valle gave a short presentation setting out reasons to visit Chihauhua. It’s the largest state in Mexico, located in the north of the country, and he described it as a transition destination between Latin America and North America.
Authentic and under-the radar, it’s pitched as an alternative to Mexico’s typical tourist trail for nature lovers, cultural travellers, luxury seekers and slow travel fans.
“It offers something completely different to the rest of Mexico,” he said. “It actually feels like a different country, and it’s very diverse. The landscapes are vast, from deserts to mountains and valleys.”
He highlighted El Chepe, the only luxury tourist train in Mexico, as being one of the world’s great rail experiences, traversing the Copper Canyon, which is actually bigger than the Grand Canyon. “Riding El Chepe is the most sellable, most convertible way for clients to visit Chihuahua,” he said.
“I really recommend First Class. It gives you access to an open carriage at the back – and I’ve had hummingbirds come to me [while standing there].”
He also spoke about the appeal of encountering the Raramuri, Indigenous people primarily located in the remote region of the Sierra Madre Occidental, which includes the Copper Canyon.
“They are some of the most remote, isolated people in Mexico. Many don’t speak Spanish but they are happy to share their life with visitors. They view us almost as aliens who visit their land and are quite amused by our way of living.”
“They’re known for being good runners. The place they live is so vast, why would you walk, when you can run. They run everywhere, in their brightly coloured outfits, and it’s beautiful to see.”
Mooren added: “[AeroMexico] sells practically every destination in Mexico, and we’ve chosen to support Chihauhua [here today], because it’s such a unique experience.”
