Airlines Seek Recovery with Aggressive Promotions
Airlines are offering remarkable discounts, deferred payment and public relations campaigns including raffles and contests
After a setback of 13 to 15% in 2009, Mexico’s airline sector gets into intense competition to attract passengers; airlines are offering remarkable discounts, deferred payment and public relations campaigns including raffles and contests.
VivaAerobus offers 83% discount in flights during March and 75% in late February flights, according to an article in El Financiero online. Interjet, meanwhile, recommends purchasing in advance and promises flexibility in ticket changes, while guaranteeing it will charge 50 pesos per kilogram of excess luggage, which applies beyond 25 kilos.
Volaris promotionals announce “We hit VAT twice” offering a discount equal to twice the VAT current rate of 16%, in all of its routes throughout March. The airline also promises discounts of 18% in all its routes, applicable in flights until March 13, to the winners of a contest seeking for “21 original, fun stories” after which to name 21 of the company’s airplanes.
Aeromer, the only airline that checks passengers in within 45 minutes prior to departure time, in turn, announces its “puntosGO” reward program. It is –the company says- the best frequent flyer program ever.
Mexicana promotes a 4 million peso beach home in the Acapulco Diamante zone as first price of its promotion. All tickets purchased between January 11 and March 31 2010 are entered into the raffle. It also announces a lottery of double free trips to the best beach destinations each month, and Mexicana Elite Class passengers are entered twice.
Aeromexico proposes traveling and paying in six interest free monthly installments. The promotion is current in purchases up to March 31 for travels until December 31, 2010.