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Viva Aerobus employer says politics grounding Allegiant tie-up

Mexican airline company Viva Aerobus thinks the U.S. federal government's pause on examining a. proposed tieup with Nevadabased Allegiant Air is. political rather than technical, the Mexican provider's chief. executive said on Wednesday.

U.S. regulators suspended the evaluation of the joint venture. in 2015, citing issues over actions by the Mexican. government affecting Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

Mexican authorities and executives have stated the concerns. described a government-mandated relocation of freight flights from the. capital's primary airport to a newer, farther-away airport. led by the president, as well as a reduction in take-off. and landing slots at AICM.

I would think (it's political), Viva CEO Juan Carlos. Zuazua informed press reporters. Clearly we're in the middle of. election season in the United States today, we don't understand if. it will be before or after, but let's hope (the tie-up is passed. quickly).

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which has. declared the airport modifications are to the hinderance of existing. carriers and potential brand-new entrants, also transferred to loosen up a. similar joint venture in between Delta Air Lines and. Aeromexico this year.

Mexico has actually seen a boom in tourist from the United States in. the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, nevertheless Mexican airlines. have seen their capacity hit by engine problems, aircraft scarcities. and the airport slot restrictions.

Viva currently has around 21 planes grounded due to Pratt &&. Whitney engine problems that have affected airline companies internationally,. Zuazua said. Rival Volaris has in between 30 and. 34 planes out of service, its president later on included after. a joint occasion to release an anti-fraud project with U.S. company. Accertify.

Viva has turned to wet leasing - a practice in which one. airline provides an aircraft, team and maintenance to another. provider - to enhance its capacity in the meantime, despite an. outcry from unions over making use of foreign crewmembers.

Volaris, on the other hand, is not at a point where it could pay. for wet leases, its CEO Enrique Beltranena stated.

Domestic flight rates have actually increased around 15% in the past. year, experts say, due to restricted capability and a. government-mandated decrease in slot projects at AICM.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been. hostile to the nation's airline companies throughout his administration,. often assaulting Aeromexico in his early morning interview.

Last year, he launched the military-run carrier Mexicana.

Lopez Obrador's mentee and successor Claudia Sheinbaum is. set to take office in October.

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(source: Reuters)