Aero Cal - April 9th developments/suggestions

[Keone]

Amigos:

Been trying to keep you posted on things as they happen without getting too far off base with speculation. Alot of what I report applies to La Paz travel only insofar as Aero Cal was all we had for the city so basically 99 percent of my clients have Aero Cal tickets. Other destinations such as Cabo and Loreto and mainland destinations have other alternatives to work with. However, I'm hopeful that any Baja travelers using Aero Cal might find this info useful...

Unofficially, some of Aero Cal's planes have been released to fly as of this past weekend, but it is not clear which routes they will be flying and it's impossible to get through most times. However, I have them on speed dial and when I get through, the clerk says they have also heard that as well, but no official details have come down the ladder to them. I got my info from an Aero Cal official in La Paz who doesn't want to be named.

Officially, Aero Cal says it will now be closed until April 12th.

On the other hand, as of today, April 9th...Aero Mexico has started regular service to La Paz. They will be flying Wednesday, Thursday and Sundays: Flight 442 leaves Lax 3.35 p.m.& arrives La Paz at 6:40 p.m.; return flight No 443 departs La Paz 7:40 p.m. and arrives LAX 8:55 p.m. Aero Cal tickets will be accepted until the 15th of May with an additional cost of US$150. More additions are expected.

I also spoke with another source who wants to remain unamed at Alaska Air. He said that Alaska is trying to come to La Paz but it may take a few months and it will probably through their subsidiary, Horizon. They're working out the details. He confirmed that several airlines are all vying for the routes in the event that Aero Cal doesn't get up again.

However, given that Aero Cal might be getting some of it's planes back up, this is what I've been suggesting to my clients who already have tickets for La Paz:

1. Either go to Aero Mex and exhange the Aero Cal tickets for Aero Mex tickets

2. Purchase brand new Aero Mex tickets (which have come down dramatically from about $1000 to $600 and now about $300 R/T Los Angeles-La Paz-Los Angeles) and save their Aero Cal tickets to be used as credit later when Aero Cal comes back up

3. Try to get refunds from Aero Cal (least desireable alternative)

4. If they paid for their tickets with a credit card, contact the credit card company for the credit as a disputed purchase citing the inabilty of the airlines to fly.

My two cents...and as I find things out...
Jonathan