Aviación del Noroeste
A defunct Mexican regional airline that operated turboprop passenger services from 1988 until 1995.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Aviación del Noroeste S.A. de C.V. was a Mexican regional airline headquartered in Hermosillo, Sonora. The carrier was established in 1988 and initially operated two Fokker F27 Friendship turboprop aircraft. Its first services connected northwestern Mexican communities with the island destination of Cedros, and the airline expanded its network in 1989 to include Mazatlán and a broader set of domestic and cross-border destinations. Its route map from that period included Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Obregón, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Mazatlán, Mexicali, Tijuana, Mexico City, Phoenix, and Tucson. Scheduled passenger operations were primarily conducted with Fokker F27 aircraft. The airline's development was closely tied to changes in ownership and relationships with other Mexican aviation businesses. In 1990, TAESA acquired Aviación del Noroeste and provided additional Fokker turboprops. The company also received access to larger aircraft through the TAESA network. A Boeing 727-200 obtained from Mexicana de Aviación was intended for services to Toluca and Mexico City, but it did not enter scheduled passenger operation for Noroeste. In 1992, the airline was acquired by Grupo Hermanos Abed, a general-aviation investment group associated with the Abed family and the Mexico City-based Hoteles Aristos chain. During the Abed period, the airline was connected operationally and managerially with TAESA and Aerolitoral. These relationships enabled access to three ATR 42 regional turboprops, while a new Mexico City service was planned with a Boeing 737-500 leased from TAESA. The planned and transferred aircraft reflected an attempt to move beyond a small F27-based regional operation, although the available historical record does not establish that every proposed aircraft entered regular scheduled service. The business was disrupted by legal disputes involving the Abed brothers in 1994. Following court proceedings, Asclepiodoto Abed retired a Boeing 737 and an ATR 42 to Noroeste and subsequently left Grupo Hermanos Abed. Alberto Abed continued directing the company for a time, but died in a road accident in Toluca on February 10, 1994. Aviación del Noroeste continued operating under TAESA's ownership for approximately another year. In 1995, TAESA halted the airline's operations, and the carrier did not resume service. It is therefore a defunct Mexican passenger airline rather than a current division of a surviving airline group.
History
Aviación del Noroeste was founded in 1988 as a Hermosillo-based Mexican regional airline. It started with two Fokker F27 Friendship turboprops and initially served Cedros, an island destination off the Pacific coast of Mexico. The carrier broadened its network in 1989, adding Mazatlán and serving a collection of northern and western Mexican cities. Its route map also showed international regional links to Phoenix and Tucson in the United States, alongside domestic service to Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Obregón, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Mexicali, Tijuana, and Mexico City. The airline's fleet and ownership changed during the early 1990s. TAESA acquired Aviación del Noroeste in 1990 and supplied additional Fokker F27 aircraft. A Boeing 727-200 obtained from Mexicana de Aviación was associated with proposed services to Toluca and Mexico City, but the aircraft was not used in scheduled passenger service by Noroeste. In 1992, Grupo Hermanos Abed, a general-aviation investment group also associated with Hoteles Aristos, bought the airline. Alberto Abed and Asclepiodoto Abed were the principal figures associated with the group. The new ownership period brought closer links with TAESA and Aerolitoral. Through these relationships, Aviación del Noroeste obtained or had access to three ATR 42 regional turboprops. The company also planned to launch a Mexico City route using a Boeing 737-500 leased from TAESA. The proposed fleet transition suggested an effort to scale the airline beyond its original F27 regional model, though the historical account distinguishes between aircraft planned, transferred, or available and aircraft actually used in scheduled operations. In February 1994, legal disputes affected the Abed family's business interests. After court proceedings, Asclepiodoto Abed retired a 737 and an ATR 42 to Noroeste and later departed Grupo Hermanos Abed for Buenos Aires. Alberto Abed continued directing the company but died in a road accident in Toluca on February 10, 1994. The airline remained in operation under TAESA's ownership for roughly one further year. TAESA finally stopped Aviación del Noroeste's operations in 1995. No subsequent resumption is recorded, leaving the company as a defunct Mexican passenger airline.
- 1995
Operations halted
[1]TAESA ended the airline's operations, and Aviación del Noroeste remained inactive thereafter.
- 1994
Management disruption after Alberto Abed's death
[1]Alberto Abed died in a Toluca road accident on February 10, while legal disputes also affected the Abed family's ownership interests.
- 1992
Grupo Hermanos Abed acquisition
[1]Grupo Hermanos Abed purchased the carrier and pursued larger-aircraft and Mexico City service plans.
- 1990
TAESA acquisition
[1]TAESA acquired the airline and provided additional Fokker regional aircraft.
- 1989
Network expansion
[1]The airline added Mazatlán and operated a route map covering northern and western Mexico, Mexico City, Phoenix, and Tucson.
- 1988
Airline established
[1]Aviación del Noroeste was established in Hermosillo with two Fokker F27 Friendship turboprops and began service to Cedros.
Products and positioning
A regional carrier focused on connecting northwestern Mexican cities and communities through turboprop passenger services, with later ambitions to add larger aircraft and Mexico City routes.
Regional passenger aviation · 1988
Fokker F27 Friendship services
The Fokker F27 Friendship formed the airline's initial operating fleet and supported scheduled regional services from Hermosillo and other Mexican points. The turboprop was suited to short- and medium-distance routes linking smaller communities with larger regional centers. Additional F27 aircraft were supplied after TAESA acquired the company.
Regional passenger aviation · 1992
ATR 42 services
Three ATR 42 regional turboprops became associated with the airline through its relationships with TAESA and Aerolitoral during the Grupo Hermanos Abed ownership period. The aircraft represented an intended modernization and capacity expansion beyond the original F27 fleet. The available account does not document the full extent of their scheduled use.
Passenger air service · 1992
Mexico City service plans
Aviación del Noroeste planned a new service to Mexico City using a Boeing 737-500 leased from TAESA. The plan reflected an attempt to introduce larger-jet capacity, but the available historical record does not confirm sustained scheduled operation of the aircraft for Noroeste.
Brand decisions
1995
Operations discontinuedStrategyBackground
The carrier continued under TAESA after the disruption of the Abed ownership period and Alberto Abed's death.
Action taken
TAESA halted Aviación del Noroeste's operations.
Aftermath
The airline became defunct and has not operated since.
1992
Grupo Hermanos Abed acquisitionM&ABackground
The airline changed ownership as Grupo Hermanos Abed expanded its interests in general aviation and related businesses.
Action taken
Grupo Hermanos Abed acquired Aviación del Noroeste and connected it operationally with TAESA and Aerolitoral.
Aftermath
The airline pursued ATR 42 access and a planned Boeing 737-500 service to Mexico City.
1990
TAESA acquisition and fleet supportM&ABackground
Aviación del Noroeste was operating a small F27-based regional network and required additional capacity and organizational support.
Action taken
TAESA acquired the airline and supplied more Fokker F27 aircraft.
Aftermath
The airline continued operating within a closer relationship to TAESA and later gained access to additional aircraft through related businesses.
Recent events
- 1995
Aviación del Noroeste ceases operations[1]
Bankruptcy
TAESA halted the airline's operations, after which Aviación del Noroeste did not resume service.
- 1992
Grupo Hermanos Abed acquires the airline[1]
M&A
The airline changed ownership to Grupo Hermanos Abed and pursued expanded equipment and a planned Mexico City service.
- 1990
TAESA acquires Aviación del Noroeste[1]
M&A
TAESA acquired the airline and supplied additional Fokker regional aircraft.
- 1989
Aviación del Noroeste expands its route network[1]
Other
The carrier added Mazatlán and operated a network covering northwestern Mexico, Mexico City, and selected cities in Arizona.
- 1988
Aviación del Noroeste begins regional operations[1]
Other
The airline was established in Hermosillo and began service with two Fokker F27 Friendship turboprops, initially serving Cedros.
Sources1 sources
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