Viva Plans New MRO Facility At Queretaro

Mexican ULCC Viva has unveiled plans to build a maintenance, repair and overhaul workshop at Queretaro International airport.

“Thanks to this investment of four billion pesos ($196 million) Viva will have more guaranteed maintenance slots, which will allow it to reduce repair and service times, improve preventive maintenance and save on costs,” the carrier said.

The layout of Viva’s planned MRO workshop consists of four hangars located on 15-20 hectares. Construction is expected to start later in 2025 and end in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026 for a planned operations starting date in early 2027. Its capacity includes eight production lines and an ability to serve up to 160 aircraft per year. Data from Aviation Week’s CAPA show Viva is Queretaro’s largest operator measured by system departing seats with a 33% share followed by Volaris at 30% and American’s 14% share.

Viva is the initial owner of the facility but said the possibility exists in the future to service other Airbus operated in Mexico, Canada, the U.S. and Central America.

The Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database shows Viva operates 44 Airbus A320s, nine A320neos, nine A321s and 19 A321neos. The airline has 28 aircraft inactive, the majority of which are A320neo family aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. During Q3 2024, Viva had an average of 24 aircraft grounded due to engine reliability issues.

As MRO capacity continues to remain tight, more Latin American Airlines are opting to expand their own maintenance capabilities. Copa Airlines recently said it aims to expand its three-bay heavy maintenance facility at Panama City Tocumen International airport.