Cojuc: McAllen International Airport can become a major hub for Mexico

MCALLEN, Texas - A discussion took place at a recent McAllen Economic Development Corporation board meeting on whether McAllen International Airport could become a major hub or a mini hub for flights into Mexico.McAllen EDC President Keith Patridge said an excellent partnership being developed between Aeromar and the City of McAllen could just catapult McAllen International Airport to mini-hub status.Fabricio Cojuc, executive director for network strategy and alliances at Aeromar, was more bold. He said there is no reason the airport could not be a major hub. Before the discussion took place, Cojuc gave a powerpoint presentation about the growth of Aeromar and its plans for McAllen. Aeromar currently flies directly from McAllen to Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Cojuc said he is currently looking at three more direct flight destinations in Mexico but did not name them.“We really want to support Liz, and the City, and Aeromar,” said Patridge.“What they are doing in Mexico is really going to be a strategic advantage for us because, in effect, what we are doing and forgive me, Fabricio, I kind of throw this out there: I think what we are basically doing is creating a mini-hub into Mexico.”The “Liz” Patridge was referring to was Liz Suarez, aviation director for McAllen International Airport. In her report to the MEDC board, Suarez said passenger traffic is up 100 percent, year-to-date. “That is good. We have load factors up about 17 percent and flights to market are up about 45 percent. We are currently capturing 49 percent of the RGV market share, as well,” Suarez said.In his discussion about Aeromar, Patridge said the direct and one-stop network the airline is developing out of McAllen is great news for maquiladora companies and their suppliers in Reynosa and McAllen.Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service's website. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.