Aeroméxico: Boeing 787 Dreamliner is on the way

Guadalajara -
Mexico's flagship carrier Aeroméxico announced today that it will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 on Aug. 15.

Almost a year ago, the company signed a contract for $11 billion dollars with the Everett, Washington manufacturer. In July 2012 Aeroméxico purchased 10 Dreamliners, together with other aircraft, as it embarked on a program to upgrade an aging fleet. Aeroméxico places huge order with Boeing. The company later decided to acquire an additional nine.

The 787 has been plagued by problems since the first one was handed over in 2011. Years behind schedule, the newly delivered jets soon displayed all kinds of serious defects, from leaking fuel tanks to batteries which caught fire. In January 2013 the FAA grounded all Dreamliners owned by American carriers, and forbade foreign airlines from flying the 787 on U.S. routes. Aeroméxico not worried about Boeing 787 fuel leak issue

After months of round the clock engineering studies and brainstorming, the Dreamliner was retrofitted, although not before several carriers lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues due to canceled flights. The FAA approved the fixes weeks ago and authorized the plane to take to the skies again.

The first domestic flights for the 787 will be from Mexico City to Monterrey and Tijuana on Oct 1. A Mexico City to New York route will be added soon after. The company announced it will offer daily service from Mexico City to Paris later this year, and direct service from Mexico City to Tokyo three times a week, beginning Oct. 14.

In a press release today Aeroméxico boasted that "With the introduction of the Boeing Dreamliner, the airline will become one of the first in the world to operate the most modern and sophisticated aircraft in the industry, for the benefit of all its customers."

By the end of 2013, Aeroméxico expects to have taken possession of three 787s, with another 16 to be delivered in the years ahead.

Mexico's new president will eventually enjoy the comforts of the Dreamliner, which is constructed of composite materials designed to reduce weight and fuel consumption. The previous administration purchased the aircraft in 2012, but it may not be delivered for another year or two. The presidential jet will purportedly be the most advanced executive aircraft in the world, with security and communication systems even more advanced than those carried by Air Force One. Enrique Peña Nieto will travel in style, aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Aug. 15 - Aeroméxico received its first unit in Mexico City today, right on schedule.
Aug. 23 - Mexico's Interjet places big order for European aircraft
Aug. 29 - American Airlines and Quintana Roo officials have announced new direct service between Miami and Cozumel, effective Nov. 21. The service will be offered daily, excepting only Monday and Wednesday, with a Miami departure time of 11:20 a.m. and a Cozumel departure time of 1:35 p.m. American will use a 150 seat Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route. Flight time is about 70 minutes.

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