Mexico's National Antitrust Commission (CNA) is preparing to approve the merger between Volaris and Viva Aerobus, which would create Grupo Más Vuelos before the end of 2026, according to Reuters, citing six people familiar with the process. Together, the two airlines account for close to 75% of domestic flights: Viva Aerobus holds 39% and Volaris 36%, against 24% for Aeroméxico.
The deal was announced in December 2025 as a merger of equals, with 50% of the capital for each shareholder group. Both brands and operating certificates are being retained. Forbes México reports that the agreement has already received the green light in Colombia, in April, and from the United States Federal Trade Commission, in early September. It matters for the Mexican community in the United States and Canada because Volaris has built regional and cross-border routes, and the airports of Guadalajara and Monterrey are familiar gateways for families traveling among the three countries.
The CNA would weigh imposing conditions aimed at: - keeping fares within regional bands and preserving the low-cost model - avoiding mass layoffs - retaining a substantial share of current routes - not altering landing and takeoff slots in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey
The sticking point is shared routes. The airlines overlap on 85 and the new group would be the sole operator on 55, above all to and from Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico Business News reports. Volaris said it has "confidence in the strategic merits of the transaction," according to Forbes México. Roberto Alcántara, chairman of Viva's board, would lead the group for three years.
Approvals from the National Foreign Investment Commission and the National Banking and Securities Commission are still pending. The CNA told Mexico Business News that it cannot comment while the file remains open, and the decision is anticipated for the fourth quarter.
This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.
