AIRLINE - Mexico's Awesome Cargo eyes B737s, US flights

Awesome Cargo (WIN, México City Felipe Angeles) is "considering" leasing two B737-800 converted freighters from BBAM amid plans to start charter flights to the United States, the Mexican cargo specialist said in its application to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a foreign air carrier permit.

Based at México City Felipe Angeles, Awesome Cargo (legally TM Aerolineas S.A. de C.V.) expects to eventually operate to some US airports “to support local demand and connectivity with key partners,” it said in its filing. No exact target cities were disclosed in the request.

Last year, Awesome Cargo signed a partnership with WestJet Cargo, with the Canadian carrier operating B737-800(BCF) flights on behalf of the Mexican carrier. Some routes operated by C-FTWJ (msn 32904) and C-FAWJ (msn 35502), include flights from Felipe Ángeles to Chicago O'Hare, and from Guadalajara to Los Angeles International, according to Flightradar24 ADS-B data.

Awesome Cargo’s fleet comprises two leased A330-200 Class E-converted freighters with no full-sized cargo door - XA-DUR (msn 1225) is owned by Air Lease Corporation while XA-LRL (msn 1218) is owned by ALC Blarney Aircraft. It also plans to add two B737-800(BCF)s, which would most likely be used as incremental to Westjet Cargo’s operations, as well as two more A330s to retain widebody capacity when XA-DUR and XA-LRL ultimately undergo P2F conversion.

The company’s current base plan includes the expansion of charter and itinerary flights to Central and South America, starting in 2024’s first quarter, to support connectivity and global supply chains.

Awesome is a privately owned corporation, almost exclusively by Luis Ricardo Ramos Landero, who has all but one of the voting shares. Ramos Landero is the father of Luis Ricardo Ramos Cabrero. Both have extensive experience in the Mexican cargo industry, including running AeroUnion (6R, México City International).

Awesome Cargo also plans to build an MRO base at Felipe Ángeles.