Estafeta adds two planes to cargo fleet
Mexican express operator Estafeta is expanding its fleet of cargo planes by adding two Bombardier CRJ 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 northern cities of La Paz and Ciudad Juárez and on the east-west Villahermosa-Guadalajara route. They will replace smaller aircraft previously operated by third-party contractors.
The company’s operations director, Ricardo Becerril, stated that the two additional aircraft would enable it to carry larger shipments over longer distances, while also reducing the number of flights. The express operator currently has a fleet of five B737 cargo planes, which capacity of about 14 tonnes, flying to 12 destinations within Mexico and abroad.
Estafeta said that the two new aircraft were part of this year’s ongoing USD 30 million (EUR 19 million) investment in its air network and infrastructure. The bulk of the investment will go on a runway extension at its hub at San Luis Potosí in central Mexico that will enable international flight operations. Estafeta also plans to add a third small cargo plane, to open a new centre in Mexico City and inaugurate additional sites in Toluca, Morelia, Leon and Guadalajara.
“Although these are times of uncertainty, we are doing everything possible to maintain our programme of investment,” director general José Antonio Armendáriz was cited as saying. “We have always believed that at times of difficulties, investment supports job creation and contributes to the competitiveness of the country.”
Estafeta increased net sales by 13 pct to USD 250 million and carried 25 million shipments in 2007. It is targeting 15 pct revenue growth this year, partly to be generated through a new LTL trucking service covering Mexico and the USA.
