Aeroméxico Connect

Aeroméxico Connect (formerly Aerolitoral) maintains an important safety record, having never had an accident with loss of life, despite experiencing six accidents with two hull losses throughout its history.

Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:

• July 31, 2018: Aeroméxico Connect Flight 2431, an Embraer 190 (XA-GAL), crashed shortly after takeoff from Durango Airport. While there were no fatalities, 85 of the 103 occupants sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
• January 5, 2023: An Aeroméxico Connect aircraft was hit by a bullet at Culiacán Airport amid cartel violence, resulting in no injuries to passengers or crew.
• July 21, 2025: An Aeroméxico Connect Embraer E190 overflew a Delta Boeing 737-800 during a landing sequence at Mexico City.
• April 29, 2025: An Aeroméxico Connect Embraer E190 reported smoke in the cockpit while en route near Tampico.
• March 31, 2016: An Aeroméxico Connect Embraer E170 landed at the wrong airport in Monterrey.
• July 23, 2020: An Aeroméxico Connect Embraer E190 experienced an engine shutdown during flight from Ciudad Juarez to Mexico City.
• January 21, 2010: Aeroméxico Connect Flight 2051 veered off the runway at Tijuana International Airport due to bad weather; the aircraft was later repaired and returned to service.
• September 6, 2001: An Aerolitoral Saab 340 (XA-ACK) crash-landed due to fuel starvation, resulting in no fatalities but a hull loss.

Regulatory Certifications:

Aeroméxico Connect is IOSA Certified. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program is an internationally recognized standard that evaluates an airline's operational management and control systems. All IATA members are required to be IOSA registered to maintain their membership. However, it is important to note that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Mexico's aviation safety rating to Category II in May 2021 due to a lack of compliance with international standards. This downgrade, affecting Mexican airlines including Aeroméxico and its subsidiary, restricted their ability to add new flights to the United States. The decision regarding the recovery of Mexico's air safety rating is still pending.

Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:

As of November 2025, Aeroméxico Connect's fleet of 35 Embraer regional jets has an average age of 15.9 years. Another figure from December 2024 states 37 Embraer 190 aircraft with an average age of 15.1 years. While this is higher than the average for some mainline carriers, the Mexican airline fleet generally saw a temporary rise in average age in Q1 2025, reaching 9.4 years, attributed to supply chain disruptions and maintenance delays. The airline's Embraer aircraft are subject to ongoing maintenance as part of a modern fleet.

Overall Safety Assessment:

Based on available data, Aeroméxico Connect has a generally robust safety framework, evidenced by its IOSA certification and its record of no fatal accidents. The incidents recorded, while serious, did not result in fatalities, demonstrating effective emergency response and passenger survivability. The FAA's Category II downgrade for Mexico's aviation authority highlights broader regulatory concerns rather than issues specific to Aeroméxico Connect's internal safety management, though it does impact the airline's international operational capabilities.

Safety Awards or Recognitions:

No specific safety awards or recognitions for Aerolitoral Airlines (Aeroméxico Connect) were found in the provided search results.