Emirates has formed an interline agreement with Aeromar as part of a goal to expand its presence in Mexico and the United States.
The Gulf carrier began flying to Mexico City (MEX) in December 2019, through Barcelona (BCN), because to the high altitude of Mexico’s capital, which prevents it from flying nonstop from Dubai (DXB). After a 15-month suspension due to the pandemic, flights on the fifth freedom BCN-MEX route restarted in July.
Passengers will be able to connect via MEX to 12 destinations on Aeromar’s network under the new interline arrangement. The agreement covers Acapulco (ACA), Ciudad Victoria (CVM), Colima (CLQ), Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH), Ixtepec (IZT), Lazaro Cardenas (LZC), Piedras Negras (PDS), Puerto Escondido (PXM), Tepic (TPQ), and Veracruz in Mexico (VER).
The collaboration also includes Aeromar’s US destinations: Laredo (LRD) and McAllen (MFE) in Texas.
“The strength of Aeromar’s regional flight network will enable us to connect a huge number of travelers from locations in Mexico and Texas, as well as the United States, to our global network via Mexico City, Barcelona, and Dubai,” said Emirates CCO Adnan Kazim.
Prior to the pandemic, Emirates had agreed to a similar collaboration with InterJet, Mexico’s third-largest carrier. However, the collaboration only lasted a few months until Emirates discontinued flights to MEX due to the COVID-19 conflict, and InterJet ceased all operations in December 2020.
The introduction of Emirates into the BCN-MEX market in December 2019 enraged Aeromexico. Mexico’s national carrier had planned to launch a service in 2018, but halted flights less than six months before the scheduled start date, citing Emirates’ plans to operate the same route. Then, in February 2019, Emirates withdrew its application, prompting Aeromexico to resurrect its intentions, only for Emirates to decide to enter the market.
The saga meant that by January 2020, Emirates was flying daily with Boeing 777-200LRs, while Aeromexico was flying 5X-weekly with 787-8s and 787-9s. As a result, capacity between the destinations equaled roughly 6,300 two-way weekly tickets.
Because of the pandemic, Emirates and Aeromexico both ceased operations in March 2020. According to data from OAG Schedules Analyzer, Emirates presently offers four flights per week, while Aeromexico’s services are yet to resume.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stated that beginning August 5, passengers on transit flights from India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda would be able to enter the UAE. The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority acknowledged the removal of the transit flight prohibition.
Emirates verified the move and stated that the amended standards permit the resumption of services from Nepal, which are operated by flydubai under a codeshare agreement with Emirates, as well as transiting services from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam, and Zambia.
