Flight delays are one of the most repeated problems with low-cost airlines in Mexico…//
Mérida’s local TV sports columnist, Marcelo Canto, arrived at the airport on time to take his flight to Monterrey, where the third game of the final of the Mexican Baseball League would take place on the night of June 23; however, he could not take the plane, because his seat was oversold.
This is one of the most repeated problems in low-cost airlines in Mexico. According to a report from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, the companies Vivaaerobus and Interjet are those that had more delays during the first half of the year at the International Airport of the City of Merida, “Manuel Crescencio Rejón”.
According to the latest update of the report published on September 28, Vivaaerobus had a total of 1,447 flights, of which 31.4% were delayed; On the other hand, Interjet made 1,550 trips and 24.6% of them had delays.
According to the report before the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, Interjet had delays in its operations (flights) of 42% in January, 39% in February and 32% in March, while Vivaaerobus had 29%, 31% and 18%, respectively, which shows that it is improving in that regard.
In defense of both Mexican airlines, it should be noted that they are the ones that carry out the most operations at the Merida airport, with 1,550 trips in the case of Interjet and 1,447 trips with Vivaaerobus, according to data from the airport.
In the case of foreign airlines, the most unpunctual is West Jet (Westjet Airlines LTD), which out of 34 registered operations, 35.3% are not on time.
The most punctual airline in the reports of each month is Magnicharters (Grupo Aéreo Monterrey), which of 14 flights in January were all punctual, as well as 15 in February and 13 in March, failed in one and fell to 92% and until June 97.6% of their trips left on time. Aeromexico had 89.8% punctuality during the first half of the year.
The other low-cost airline that arrives in Mérida, Volaris, is one of the most punctual, just below Magnicharters and Aeroméxico, with 1,222 flights to June.
Why the delays?
According to the report posted on the website of the SCT, delayed operations may be attributable to the airline or to natural conditions of the environment and air traffic, especially in the origins of flights.
The report indicates that from January to June of this year, 7,737 operations have been on time. In delays, 702 are attributable to airlines, 574 to air traffic control, 65 to repercussions by a third party, 51 to meteorology and 59 for “other reasons”.
In total, 84.2% of operations were punctual and 15.8% were not.
Text: Esteban Cruz Obando
Photo: Juliana Sepúlveda
