The budget airline connecting Mérida travelers to Cozumel and Chetumal has shut down.
According to the Reuters news agency, Aeromar announced the “definitive end” of operations on Wednesday.
The Mexican airline had aggressively competitive fares. In 2017, they advertised temporary 100-peso fares — around five bucks — one way out of Mérida. Then in September 2022, Cozumel and Chetumal fights were listed for 800 pesos — 40 bucks at the time. It wasn’t enough to keep Aeromar afloat.
Rivals Interjet and Aeromexico have also struggled in recent years.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador talked about aiding the company in October, but instead, the government purchased the old Mexicana brand to launch a military-run commercial line.
On social media, Aeromar thanked “the solidarity of our colleagues at Viva Aerobus, Aeromexico, and Volaris for providing support to travelers who currently have an active reservation with us.” The Facebook page had been rebranded as Aeromar by Nella, suggesting a possible merger with the Brazilian airline.
Employee unions allege that Aeromar owes millions of dollars to workers, although the carrier said on Wednesday that base salaries from the past year had been “liquidated in full” and that just some benefits had yet to be paid.
Mexico City-based Aeromar was founded in 1987 and flew mainly domestically, although it also maintained service to the US border states and Cuba. It had 600 employees, some of whom may qualify to work at other carriers.
