Mexican operator Redwings, whose fleet includes two Embraer Legacy 600s, a Hawker 800 and a Beechjet 400, is in the process of adding a Gulfstream IV to the roster. Its top performer currently is the EMB135, which has a range of 2,800 miles. “We can fly from Mexico to any destination in the US and Canada and south to Colombia,” reveals executive sales specialist Mauro Ochoa. “Currently, the most popular aircraft is the Beechjet 400 for short flights. With restrictions preventing entry to the United States, our clients are choosing Mexican beaches and this 'plane is perfect. We have also made several repatriation flights lately, for people who could not return to their countries. We flew to Israel, Egypt, South Africa and some small islands off the coast of Africa.”

The pandemic has affected Redwings' MRO business unit, because not many aircraft owners are flying and are consequently prolonging the maintenance of their aircraft. “At the beginning of last year we had 120 aeronautical technicians in our workshop and we ended the year with only 30. On the charter side we had a lot of demand for the EMB135s at the beginning of the pandemic and at the end of last year we flew more with small 'planes. In general we are surviving.”

in spite of having to lose some personnel, Ochoa says that processes have been strengthened in order to make operations more efficient. “We have focused on reducing our costs, no matter how small,” he adds.

As for the year ahead, he is looking to be innovative. “We hope to perform flights to Mexican beaches with stays included in premium accommodation with all security and sanitisation measures, in addition to offering our shuttle between Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende. We look forward to welcoming all American tourists who wish to visit San Miguel de Allende and to do so safely, arriving at the Queretaro airport either by commercial or private aviation. We then make the connection by helicopter to San Miguel de Allende. The most visited hotels are Live Aqua, Rosewood and Matilda as well as the wine and mezcal area.”