Mexican express operator Estafeta is expanding its fleet of cargo planes by adding two BombardierCRJ jets with capacity of five tonnes, Mexican media reported.
The two new planes will operate on the routes from its San Luis Potosí hub to the northerncities of La Paz and Ciudad Juárez and on the east-west Villahermosa-Guadalajara route. They willreplace smaller aircraft previously operated by third-party contractors.
The company’s operations director, Ricardo Becerril, stated that the two additional aircraftwould enable it to carry larger shipments over longer distances, while also reducing the number offlights. The express operator currently has a fleet of five B737 cargo planes, which capacity ofabout 14 tonnes, flying to 12 destinations within Mexico and abroad.
Estafeta said that the two new aircraft were part of this year’s ongoing $30 million (€19million) investment in its air network and infrastructure. The bulk of the investment will go on arunway extension at its hub at San Luis Potosí in central Mexico that will enable internationalflight operations. Estafeta also plans to add a third small cargo plane, to open a new centre inMexico City and inaugurate additional sites in Toluca, Morelia, Leon and Guadalajara.
“Although these are times of uncertainty, we are doing everything possible to maintain ourprogramme of investment,” director general José Antonio Armendáriz was cited as saying. “We havealways believed that at times of difficulties, investment supports job creation and contributes tothe competitiveness of the country.”
Estafeta increased net sales by 13% to $250 million and carried 25 million shipments in 2007.It is targeting 15% revenue growth this year, partly to be generated through a new LTL truckingservice covering Mexico and the USA.
