American Airlines and
Mexicana de Aviacion last week began codesharing on each other’s flights between
the United States and Mexico, the first phase of a wide-ranging codesharing
arrangement that will strengthen each carrier’s route system and provide
increased flight options to customers of both airlines.
  In this first phase beginning today, American and Mexicana are placing
their codes on each other’s nonstop transborder flights between the United
States and Mexico.  The two carriers currently serve a total of 53 nonstop
transborder markets.

Soon, in subsequent phases, American will place its “AA” code on
Mexicana’s connecting flights within Mexico to popular destinations such as
Huatulco, Merida, Oaxaca, Tampico and Veracruz.  Mexicana, for its part, will
place its “MX” code on American’s flights connecting from Mexicana’s U.S.
gateways to important markets within the United States, as well as to points
beyond the United States served by American.

In addition to the codesharing beginning today, American and Mexicana on
April 1 implemented a reciprocal frequent-flyer arrangement that enables
members to accrue and redeem miles in American’s AAdvantage(R) program or
Mexicana’s Frecuenta(R) program on each other’s network, including more than
500 round-trips per week between the United States and Mexico.

“American Airlines has long had a significant presence in Mexico, and with
this codeshare with Mexicana - the leading carrier in Mexico - we’ll be able
to offer our customers even more destinations there and more convenient
schedules,” said Henry Joyner, American’s senior vice president-Planning.
“That, in turn, should help boost traffic on our existing routes into Mexico,
as well as on our domestic network as we feed more Mexicana flights.
Ultimately, it could drive future growth at American.”  Said Fabricio Cojuc, senior vice president-Alliances for Mexicana:  “At
Mexicana, we are very satisfied and proud with this new alliance because
working closely together with American Airlines provides Mexicana with more
strength and competitiveness in our own markets.  Beginning today, we offer
our passengers more connectivity and better flying options.  This added value
will attract important business traffic as well as leisure traffic to our
business centers and our world famous resorts.”

The codesharing arrangement was formally approved by the U.S. Department
of Transportation on April 29, and the two carriers are moving quickly to
implement its various features.  Under the terms of the agreement, American is
permitted to place its code in 31 nonstop transborder markets served by
Mexicana, as well as in up to 30 cities within Mexico.  Mexicana is permitted
to place its code in 22 transborder markets served by American, as well as in
51 cities within the United States.  In addition, Mexicana is able to place
its code on up to 56 third-country destinations served by American.
 
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