Aeronaves De México Pt2: Cuauhtli Goes International

Aeronaves De México finally became a major airline in late 1957 when it began its first international route connecting Mexico City with New York. The service began on December 16 using the pair of leased Pan Am L-049s, however after only two days the Connies were substituted for something grander - the Whispering Giant.

It is interesting that the airline settled on the troubled British turboprop Bristol Britannia as its favoured type to serve the route rather than the less auspicious and capable, but reliable and cheaper, DC-6/7. Two Britannia series 302s arrived in late 1957, as XA-MEC and MED, to open up the airline's first international service. XA-MED was accordingly named Ciudad de Nueva York and Aeronaves De México joined IATA at the same time. Interestingly Aeronaves De México didn't change its livery for the Brits which arrived in the rather drab blue striped scheme.

< Left: The 1957 timetable complete with Connie

The L-049 Constellations were returned to Pan Am but actually replaced by 3 only slightly newer L-749A Constellations acquired from Air India and an L-649 leased from Eastern. These became XA-MEU-W with the L-649 getting XA-MOA. The Constellations didn't stay in Mexico for long, but even so one was written off. XA-MEV crashed just after take-off at Guadalajara on June 2, 1958 killing all 45 passengers and crew. This was the start of a worrying period of crashes suffered by the airline - mainly due to human error of one kind or another. In this case the crew didn't follow the established climb-out procedure and crashed into the La Latilla Mountain.

Aeronaves De Mexico Bristol Britannia 302 XA-MED Aeroclassics 1:400 Scale Model Airliner

The government took the opportunity of nationalising the airline in July 1959 following a damaging pilot's strike in January. Capital was injected enabling a fleet upgrade. Rather than return to the Connies (or the Britannia) 6 ex-SAS DC-6s were acquired from 1959-60 and registered XA-NAH-M. These aircraft would see solid service into the late 1960s with several eventually joining the Fuerza Aera Mexicana (Mexican Air Force). They enabled the replacement of the Constellations, DC-4s and CV-340s. The latter being only young frames were snapped up by Linjeflyg of Sweden.

The Britannias gave good service. MED was originally G-ANCC and in Mexican service was renamed ‘Tzintzuntzan’ from her original ‘Cuidad de Neuva York’ probably when the airline rebranded. Her sistership XA-MEC was less lucky. On July 9, 1965 whilst operating a Mexico City-Tijuana cycle the crew of XA-MEC noticed that the main landing gear of the aircraft would not lock into position. Attempts to make it lock failed and in the subsequent landing the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Fortunately none of the, 73, passengers was killed. MED was sold the next year to TransGlobe Airways. She took up her original registration again and operated until 1970 when she was broken up.

Though the Brits were an upgrade from the piston-liners operated by most airlines, and temporarily elevated Aeronaves  into the elite, it was obvious pure jets were the way forward and that is where part 3 in this story will take us.

References

What, When, How: Aeromexico
Airplane Issue 202: Civil Aviation - Aeromexico
Aviation Safety Network: XA-MEV
Aviation Safety Network: XA-MEC
Airline Timetable Images
RZjets