With Mexicana now having suspended operations and canceled its domestic flights as well as international flights, as of August 28, 2010, its subsidiaries are also affected, meaning, for example, Click Mexicana. But all is not lost for those who have already purchased airline tickets, or still wish to vacation in Mexico. Living in Oaxaca, that city is the basis for this brief article but the comments should apply at least to some extent to other Mexico travel destinations. There is still ADO, Estrella Roja, and other bus service as well as Aeromexico,and other international airlines such as Continental Airlines.
ADO Bus Service is a Viable Option for Those Flying Into and Out of Mexico City
Check the ADO website immediately, since as a result of the Mexicana Airlines cancellations and suspension of services, there will likely be a run on bus tickets to and from Mexico City involving destinations such as Oaxaca, Acapulco, other Pacific resort towns, etc. ADO offers a relatively new service known as Platino, with 25 seats rather than 40 seats on the bus. The one-way fare, for example Oaxaca – Mexico City, is 734 pesos (a bit less slow season), steep perhaps, but luxurious as far as bus lines are concerned. Other less expensive service is available. Between the Platino, GL and regular services, there should be little difficulty getting to one’s ultimate destination. The bus terminal in Mexico City to use, in terms of then getting to the airport, is known as TAPO.
In terms of Oaxaca once again, there is also the option of taking the Estrella Roja bus from the airport in Mexico City, to Puebla, spending a couple of days in Puebla (a very attractive tourist destination as well, especially on weekends with the antiques and collectibles open air market known as Los Sapos), and then continuing on to Oaxaca by bus.
Remember, the ADO first class bus service (as well as the Estrella Roja) is a far cry from the second class buses one traditionally uses to travel within the country to see villages and towns close to major cities such as Oaxaca, Puebla, Puerto Escondido, and so on.
Aeromexico Flies Internationally and Domestically to and From Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Other Destinations
Because of the Mexicana Airlines cancellations there will inevitably also be a run on whatever flights within Mexico continue to exist, the primary airline being Aeromexico. Accordingly, as with bus service, it is recommended that those with travel itineraries begin looking into alternate flight options immediately. In addition, those planning vacations in Mexico should not delay booking with other carriers into Mexico.
Continental Airlines is a Reasonable Option for Flying into Mexico City, and to Oaxaca in Particular
Continental Airlines currently has several flights into Oaxaca from Houston, and vice versa, weekly. It uses a nice, small jet with about 50 – 55 seats. Just watch, as with all airlines these days, the luggage restrictions. Continental has been doing a Houston – Oaxaca service for several years now. Until 2006 it was a daily flight services, then in the wake of the Oaxaca 2006 civil unrest when tourism to Oaxaca dramatically dropped it curtailed flights, then gradually has increased the number of flights into and out of Oaxaca via Houston.
Whether Continental intends to increase its Houston service into points in Mexico, is unknown, but one might anticipate that yes, Continental will begin offering more flights into Mexico, to include Oaxaca, in light of the Mexicana bankruptcy situation.
Summary Statement Regarding Mexicana Airlines Current Difficulty, and Flights into Mexico
All hope should not be abandoned. Restructuring will inevitably be pursued to a logical end, meaning that if not Mexicana, then other airlines will pick up the slack. However, those with travel plans involving Mexico, and now including Click Mexicana in addition to the regular Mexicana Airlines service, should not delay in making other arrangements if possible. Alternatively, wait until the dust settles.
Alvin Starkman - Alvin Starkman runs Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast. He is a paid contributing writer for Mexico Today (http://www.mexicotoday.org).
