In this episode, hear from Luis Ramos, founder and chief executive of Awesome Cargo.

The Mexico-based startup is in the certification process and nearing its AOC. It has leased two 2011-vintage A330-200s from Air Lease Corp. and plans to operate them in the Medius Class E cargo configuration from U.K.-based Avensis Aviation ahead of full-freighter conversion.

Awesome Cargo registered its first A330-200 (1218, ex-Alitalia) in Mexico in June. The carrier intends to introduce 737-800 freighters in the months ahead, Ramos said.

Ramos is also CEO of aviation services company Aerocharter, which has been helping freighter airlines transition to Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) and handles most cargo operations there.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced last week that the FAA will soon restore Mexico to Category 1 status, allowing Mexican carriers to launch new routes to the United States again. Mexico was downgraded to Category 2 in May 2021.

“We’re very thankful for the Mexican government and the [Federal Civil Aviation Agency] for moving as quickly as they have in the midst of everything that’s going on with the FAA and getting back to Category 1,” Ramos said. “We’re very thankful and we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with Ramos.