SICT to Support Stranded Aeromar Passengers

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) will provide an action plan to support all passengers affected by Aeromar’s closure. PROFECO is also working to support the passengers affected, while other industry actors are demanding the payment of their debts. 

SICT said it will support passengers affected by Aeromar’s cancellations. Aeromar stopped operations on Feb. 15, 2023, and all its routes have been canceled after the airline failed to pay its debts to the Federal Government. SICT also said that it would strive to support Aeromar’s workers.

SICT will coordinate with other airlines to redeem tickets issued by Aeromar to avoid inconveniencing travelers further. The Government of Mexico explained that due to the cessation of commercial operations, a plan has been implemented to support travelers and workers. SICT and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) are seeking legal mechanisms to help the 700 affected workers that face uncertainty after the airline stopped flying.

The Federal Government set Aeromar a deadline to fully settle its debt by Feb. 15, 2023, according to a press release. Aeromar had debts with Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA), Navigation Services in the Mexican Airspace (SENEAM) and the International Airport of Mexico City (AICM).

Ricardo Sheffield, Federal Consumer Attorney, explained that nearly 4,900 passengers had tickets from February to November 2023. “Those passengers stayed with ticket in hand after the cessation of operations of Aeromar. We invite [these passengers] to join the collective action against them. At PROFECO, we are ready to protect you,” says Sheffield via a pre-recorded message. 

AICM explained that Aeromar lacked a viable proposal to settle its MX$1.1 billion (US$62 million) debts for the rent of spaces and hangars, consumption of services, baggage inspection, electricity and other services provided at the terminal. "Only a meeting was held with the legal representative of [Aeromar], however, the company did not make any viable proposal," says Carlos Velázquez Tiscareño, Director, AICM, according to Forbes

As of Feb. 16, all Aeromar flights from AICM’s terminal 2 have been canceled, according to the airport’s website, including those to Tepic, Aguascalientes, Ciudad Victoria and Zihuatanejo.