The five Central American carriers that form Grupo Taca together
provide an extensive network of air service both to and within the
Mundo Maya region. In the U.S., Grupo Taca's marketing efforts
include travel agent seminars, a frequent flyer program, an air
pass program and, since this spring, a code-sharing agreement with
American Airlines. Joined together in a sales and marketing
alliance under one corporate identity since November 1993
(originally known as America Central Corp.), the five airlines are
Aviateca (Guatemala), Taca (Honduras), Taca (El Salvador), Lacsa
(Costa Rica) and Nica (Nicaragua). Together, they comprise Latin
America's third largest airline.
This year, Grupo Taca is expanding its fleet of aircraft with
six additional Airbus 320s, and this spring it signed an agreement
to purchase 60 additional A320s. This month, it begins the gradual
introduction of a business class.
Agent Seminars. Grupo Taca is offering half-day agent
presentations including breakfast or dinner that feature an
audiovisual presentation and an overview of Central America that
covers geography, history, environment and culture. Attendance
qualifies participants for five ICTA continuing education credits.
Eleven seminars are scheduled around the country in September and
October. The price is $15. For information and schedule details,
agents may call (305) 871-3358, ext. 724.Mayan Airpass. Clients who fly any Grupo Taca airline from a
U.S. gateway city into Mundo Maya may purchase flight coupons
priced at $90 each for travel within the region. Sectors within
Central America require one coupon, and flights between Mexico and
Central America require two coupons. Tickets must be issued by
year-end and travel completed by Jan. 31, 1999.Visit Central America Program. For clients planning to visit
several destinations within Central America, this combination zoned
fare and coupon plan provides savings of up to 35% for travel from
gateways throughout the Americas and within Central America.Route Network. Grupo Taca's North American gateway cities are
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans,
Washington, Orlando, Miami, New York and Toronto. Among the points
the carriers serve in the Mundo Maya region are: in Mexico, Mexico
City, Merida and Cancun; in Guatemala, Guatemala City and Flores;
in Belize, Belize City; in El Salvador, San Salvador, and in
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and Roatan.This spring, Grupo Taca inaugurated nonstop service between New
York and El Salvador; New York and Guatemala, and Washington and El
Salvador. In December 1997, Grupo Taca launched Inter, a regional
carrier created to serve off-the-beaten path destinations. Inter
operates a fleet of nine new Cessna Grand Caravans in Guatemala,
Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Who to Call. For reservations, call (800) 535-8780 (Taca),
(800) 327-9832 (Aviateca), (800) 225-2272 (Lacsa), or (800)
831-6422 (Nica). Information on Grupo Taca is also available on its
Web site at www.grupotaca.com.Local Air Service. Jungle Flying Tours has operated out of
Guatemala City since August 1995. This tour firm offers regular
small-plane service to Copan and Tikal and charter service to
remote sites and Maya cities elsewhere in the region. Prices are
net. For reservations or information, contact (011) 502-360-4917 or
(011) 502-360-4920, fax (011) 502-331-4995, e-mail:
[email protected]. The firm's Web site may be accessed at
www.guate.net/jungle.
In business since February 1997, Maya World Airlines also
operates out of Guatemala City. The carrier provides scheduled
domestic service within Guatemala as well as to Cancun, Tegucigalpa
and Roatan in Honduras and Nicaragua. Commissions are 10%. For
reservations, call (011) 502-339-1519, (011) 502-339-1522 to 1525
or (011) 502-339-1023/1024; fax (011) 502-339-1021/1022, e-mail:
[email protected].