THE BIDDING FOR AEROMEXICO is heating up. Rival Mexicana made a $200 million takeover
bid for Aeromexico on Oct. 3, arguing Mexicos domestic market
cannot support two flagship airlines and that one bigger domestic
carrier can better compete against larger U.S. rivals. In arguing
that the government antitrust commission should allow the deal,
Mexicana noted that the number of airlines in Mexico has doubled
since 2001 and said the rise of low-cost carriers in Mexico has
dropped the domestic market share of Mexicana and Aeromexico to
53%. After Mexicanas bid, the investor group led by Citigroups
Mexican unit, Banamex, raised its offer for Mexicana to $160
million, matching a previous offer by a local father-son business
entity.
AEROMEXICO, meanwhile, on
Oct. 4 launched service between Las Vegas and Hermosillo, in Sonora
state. The twice-weekly flights are operated by Aeromexico Connect.
Flights depart Las Vegas on Thursdays and Sundays at 1:45 p.m. and
arrive in Hermosillo at 3:25 p.m., before continuing on to
Guadalajara. Return flights depart Hermosillo on Thursdays and
Sundays at 11:15 a.m. and arrive in Las Vegas at 12:55
p.m.
PLAYA HOTELS & RESORTS acquired the 249-suite Grand Baja Resort & Spa in San
Jose del Cabo for an undisclosed sum. The property will be managed
under the Barcelo Hotels & Resorts brand and will be renamed
the Barcelo Los Cabos Resort. The resort will undergo a major
renovation and expansion over two phases, including the addition of
476 suites for a total of 725 rooms by the time work is completed
by the end of 2009. The expansion also will include several new
restaurants, additional meetings space and upgraded amenities and
facilities in keeping with Barcelos Premium brand.
PALACE RESORTS opened the
62-room Isla Mujeres Palace on Oct. 1. The all-inclusive property
is being marketed as a luxurious, yet affordable resort with
24-hour room service, wireless Internet and luxury Farouk bath
amenities. Facilities include a pool with a swim-up bar; a fitness
center; a small spa; and the Azul restaurant. The resort is
offering rates from $346 to $522 a night, double. Guests who book a
seven-night stay by Dec. 23 will receive free admission for two to
a Swim With the Dolphins program. Visit www.palaceresorts.com.
UNITED
VACATIONS is offering a Big Fall
Sale to Mexico and a number of other destinations, with savings of
as much as $200 off packages booked by Nov. 16. Customers can
travel through Oct. 31, 2008. In Cancun, for example, a five-night
package in a junior suite at the Gran Caribe Real Cancun begins at
$964 from Denver, $999 from Washington and $1,104 from Chicago.
Packages include roundtrip air on United. Call (800) 328-6877 or
visit
www.vaxvacationaccess.com.