The name of a new Mexican airline – Transportes Aereo Regional (TAR) – reflects its objective to better serve the domestic regional market. Based in Queretaro, TAR started operating this month between low-density city pairs that are less than 90 minutes flying time.
From its hub, it intends to introduce nonstop flights to Acapulco, Durango , Guadalajara, Ixtapa, Los Mochis , Monterrey, Puebla and Puerta Vallarta in order to attract both business and leisure travellers. The carrier is using 50-seat E145s that have the ideal capacity for these markets. A single fleet type keeps investment, training and spare parts costs in check and allows TAR to add frequencies (without adding too many seats) to stay competitive as markets expand.
The first phase of operations will see four aircraft but the company plans to eventually grow the fleet to 14 E145s by 2017.