The pre-operations phase, the founding of the legal entities and setting up of the required infrastructure, started in August 2005 under the name Vuela Airlines. The idea for the airline was formed from the proposed "Vuelamex" project.[7] Major initial shareholders of the company were Grupo Televisa (the world's biggest Spanish-language media conglomerate), Inbursa (an insurance company owned by multi-billionaire Carlos Slim), TACA Airlines and the Discovery Americas Fund. Each of these partners invested 25% of the initial cost of activities, or 100 million USD.[7]
In July 2010,[8] it was announced that Televisa and Inbursa had sold their stake in Volaris leaving the ownership of Volaris as follows: TACA Airlines with Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete (50%), Investment fund Discovery Americas (over 25%) and Indigo Partners: Fund led by former America West CEO Bill Franke.
Ticket sales started in January 2006. Following the delivery of the airline's first aircraft, the first non-commercial flight was operated in February 2006. Scheduled revenue flights were launched on March 13, 2006, with the inaugural flight being between Toluca to Tijuana.
Volaris began service to Mexico City in September 2010 after absorbing flight routes from two defunct Mexican airlines, Aerocalifornia and Mexicana. In March 2011, the airline announced that its hub in Toluca would move to Guadalajara.
In June 2012, the airline launched a frequent flyer program called VClub.[9][non-primary source needed] It is the membership program that provides special fares, offers, last minute travel deals and other perks. Customers can save up to 40% using the VClub membership. In June 2012, PayPal became a payment alternative for the airline, enabling customers to purchase tickets directly from the airline's website.[10][non-primary source needed] In September 2012, Volaris announced a codeshare partnership with a German airline, Condor. Passengers of Condor are able to fly to more international destinations.[11]
On March 13, 2013, the airline celebrated its seventh anniversary, offering passengers 70% off all flights, it has done this every year since then.[12] Volaris announced the creation of a subsidiary, Volaris Costa Rica, in March 2016.[13][14] The subsidiary, based at Juan Santamaría International Airport in the Costa Rican capital of San José, started operations in November 2016.[15]
As of 2022, Volaris has faced multiple class-action lawsuits due to failure to properly refund flights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17]
International operations
In November 2008, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with U.S.-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines. In April 2009, Volaris announced the start of U.S.-bound flights out of Toluca and Guadalajara (initially to Los Angeles and Oakland) to feed into the hubs of Southwest Airlines. After Mexicana de Aviación's shutdown, Volaris took over many of Mexicana's international destinations and flights from its focus city, Guadalajara. The airline began using Guadalajara International Airport as an American gateway hub in late 2011.
In February 2013, Volaris and Southwest stopped codesharing. Southwest decided to focus more on the Mexican market with AirTran Airways, instead of codesharing with Volaris.[18][19] In January 2018, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with American low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines.
Corporate affairs
Business trends
The key trends for Volaris are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):[20][21]
The airline is headquartered in Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City.[35] It formerly had its headquarters on the first floor of Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 in Peña Blanca, Santa Fe.[36]
Services
Volaris cabins are configured in a single class, high density layout.
Volaris does not provide complimentary meals or drinks on its flights. Passengers may purchase items on board from the "Entre nubes" buy on board program.[37] Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue. Items such as snacks, pillows, blankets and Volaris-branded items are sold on board.[38] Volaris' monthly inflight magazine is called "V de Volaris".[39]
The airline had previously provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) in most aircraft, utilizing drop-down screens on its Airbus aircraft. By 2019, all use of IFE had been discontinued.[40]
Frequent flyer program
VClub is Volaris' frequent flyer program. It gives members exclusive deals on flights, baggage and packages. The airline offers individual and group memberships, with the option to pay monthly or annually. Volaris offers VPass, similar to Spirit's "$9 Fare Club". It offers a set subscription price, and charges customers only for taxes and additional services.[41] Customers can book codeshare flights and earn points through fellow ultra-low-cost carrier, Frontier Airlines.[42]
Corporate identity
New billboard-style livery of the airline, introduced in September 2017[43]Volaris Airbus A320-200 in its former livery version.
Trivia
Two Volaris safety videos were made: one featured actress Claudia Lizaldi[44] while one featured young children demonstrating the safety procedures.[45] As of 2018, both videos have been retired.
Every new plane has a person's name on it, for example, one plane may have "Samuel" written on it, while another plane may have "Luisa" written on it. Recently, some planes have been named after families, e.g. ""Los Capistrán", or after new countries they begin service to, e.g. "Guatemala".
Brand image
The Volaris logo, since its launch in 2005, has been a colorful, pixelated star against a black background.[46] It represents the north star, Polaris, after which the airline's name is derived from.[47]
Advertising slogans
Volaris has used several slogans over the years:
2005–2008 – "Lo quieres, lo tienes" (You want it, you got it.)[48][49]
2013–2017 – "Tu decides" (You decide). Launched after the introduction of the "clean fare", which no longer included the cost of food, baggage, or seat selection in the airline's ticket prices.[51]
2015 – "Queremos que todo el mundo vuele" (We want the whole world to fly)[52]
2015–present – "Precios que te hacen viajar" (Prices that make you travel)[53]
2016 – "Avión a precio de camión" (The plane at the price of a bus)[54]
November 2018 – present – "Don't just fly, vuela"[55]
Destinations
Countries in which Volaris operates as of September 2024[5][56]
In November 2021 during the Dubai Airshow, Volaris announced an order for 39 Airbus A321neo. An existing order for 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft was converted into A321neo.[74]
On June 20, 2023, during the Paris Air Show, Volaris announced an order for 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft.[citation needed]
^"Information about VolarisArchived 2016-04-09 at archive.today." Volaris. Retrieved in April 9, 2016. "Antonio Dovalí Jaime, No. 70, Torre B, Piso 13, Colonia Zedec Santa Fe, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, C.P. 01210, México, Distrito Federal,"
^"ContáctanosArchived 2013-10-16 at the Wayback Machine." Volaris. Retrieved on December 4, 2010. "Dirección de oficinas Volaris – Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 piso 1 Col. Santa Fe Peña Blanca México DF, Delegación Álvaro Obregón C.P. 01210"
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