Accolades for VivaAeroBus... Adios Mexus

It was publicly announced today that Mexico's largest bus compa ny, the Ryan Family and close interests will be launching a new Low Cost Airline down Mexico way called "VivaAeroBus". It is to launch in September 2006 with Boeing 737's. I encourage one and all to fly it and fly it often.

Of the numerous LCC efforts across Mexico underway, their approach makes the most sense of all. As publicly announced, RyanMex, the investment vehicle created by Maurice Mason and the Ryans of Ireland will own 25% with the largest bus company in Mexico owning the majority stake as required by Mexican law.

In the history of the development of United States transportation, the railroads did not much believe that the future of airlines would impact their business. Time later proved that the airlines killed the railroad transportation business as far as people transport was concerned. This Mexican bus company will not make the same mistake and will make this transition from buses to planes with the world's leading LCC investor / developer (the Ryans) at their side.

For me, today (28 Feb 2006) was a big day as well. I welcome the advent of a strong capable group such as VivaAeroBus to the Mexican market. Mexico will be well served by their entry. Therefore, I have ceased all efforts with the development of Mexus Airlines, a fully owned holding of Ashco Group, LLC. Some thought it was a crazy idea from the start and I can certainly see their point of view, but I have pursued enough things in life that people thought was overly ambitious and proven them wrong that I was willing to pursue this as well.

I am so glad, beyond any measure of putting in words that I pursued Mexus. I learned and experienced much through the process of meeting with many LCC operators from Spain to Singapore to all over Europe and here in Texas that I could see where it was possible. Each CEO and investor of existing profitable airlines (...for which there are few in this world) that I met with showed me their unique perspectives, so I was able to look at the challenge from numerous angles. I thank them for their assistance along the way. The one thing I did do right was make sure I was dealing with the right people along the entire path. If you were not a founder or senior shareholder of a profitable airline , I did not try to meet. The worst situation in the world an entrepreneur or CEO can be in is to not have people who understand the innerworkings of the particular industry in which they are involved. The blood is more on the walls than not when it comes to failing airlines, so there was not much good in my meeting with the likes of Delta or United. You can learn more about my intentions and efforts via video by clicking here and here.

Numerous airlines have been announced in Mexico over the past year. If you are a betting person, bet on Viva AeroBus and bet on the Irish! Ryanair became the most successful airline in the world because of experience and good judgement. Period. While VivaAeroBus is not Ryanair, it is the colleagues of the Ryan family and they have seen everything one can see in the airline business from the leasing of planes where they got their start to the turnaround and rebirth of what is today Ryanair (the most profitable on a margins basis airline in the world). I am also a huge fan of Tiger Airways in Singapore, another of their interests.

I will be a customer and hope you will be too. Go VivaAeroBus!

Additional Related News Coverage on Mexus:
USA Today: Front Page / Full Article and Student Case Study
Dallas Morning News: Business / En Espanol
CNBC: Feature
Latino Future Magazine: Business
Reality Pilot: Takeoff
Interviewing the Greats: Rollin King