Introduction to the Merger
The low-cost airlines Volaris and Viva are merging to create the Más Vuelos group, which will trade on the stock exchanges of Mexico (BMV) and the United States (NYSE), leveraging Volaris’ current financial structure.
Timeline and Regulatory Approvals
The merger is expected to be consolidated within a year, with both companies seeking approval from Mexico’s National Antimonopoly Commission and the National Foreign Investment Commission, as well as compliance with the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act.
Strengths and Expansion
The combined strength of the two airlines, while maintaining independent operations, will allow them to serve 86 domestic and international destinations across 324 routes using Airbus aircraft. This will result in approximately 990 daily operations, with more added through planned growth.
Market Significance
One of the major attractions of this merger, aside from cost savings generated by the controlling company’s operations, is their presence in the U.S., a growing transborder aviation market with nearly 39 million people of Mexican origin.
Key Players
Enrique Beltranena and Juan Carlos Zuazua
The CEOs of Volaris and Viva, Enrique Beltranena and Juan Carlos Zuazua, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, stating that it will boost Mexico’s low-cost aviation growth and enable more people to fly.
Roberto Alcántara
Roberto Alcántara, the current president of Viva and founder of Grupo IAMSA, will lead the new Más Vuelos group. Born in Acambay, Estado de México, Alcántara is known for his low-profile approach and involvement in major Mexican business clubs.
Grupo IAMSA, under Alcántara’s leadership, controls 85% of Mexico’s passenger transportation market with brands like Costa Line, ETN Turistar, Futura, Amealcenses, and Costa Line.
Alcántara entered the aviation industry with VivaAerobus and a low-cost model, supported by a partnership with the Irish Ryan family, creators of Ryanair via Irelandia Aviation. After a decade, he bought out the foreign partner and now leads Viva and Volaris.
Existing leadership teams in both airlines will remain in their positions, ensuring a smooth transition and operational stability. Both companies will keep their current headquarters.
Future Plans
Under Alcántara’s vision, Viva focused on developing routes at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City, similar to its success in Monterrey. Volaris, with main operations in Guadalajara, Tijuana, and Mexico City, maintains strong U.S. connectivity.
The merger will enable the creation of new regional bases, strengthening mid-sized airports and accelerating growth across the country.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the name of the new group formed by the merger? The new group is called Más Vuelos.
- Which stock exchanges will Más Vuelos be listed on? Más Vuelos will trade on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) in Mexico and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the United States.
- Who will lead the new Más Vuelos group? Roberto Alcántara, current president of Viva and founder of Grupo IAMSA, will lead the new group.
- What are the key strengths of the merged airlines? The combined airlines will serve 86 destinations across 324 routes, resulting in approximately 990 daily operations. They also have a significant presence in the growing U.S.-Mexico transborder aviation market.
- What are the future plans for Más Vuelos? The merger will enable the creation of new regional bases, strengthening mid-sized airports and accelerating growth across Mexico.
