Aeroméxico (AM, México City International) will have phased out its last B767 by the middle of next year as the Mexican carrier transitions its wide-body, long-haul fleet to the B787.

CEO Andres Conesa told CAPA Centre for Aviation in an interview that his airline, which began the move during the third quarter of last year, intends to replace its outgoing fleet of three B767-300(ER)s and two B767-200(ER)s with ten B787-8s and ten B787-9s by the end of the decade. It expects to take delivery of its last two B787-8s from its initial nine aircraft commitment in 2015.

At present, only five -9s have been firmed implying the remaining five options are to be exercised at some point.

"The 787 and the growing long-haul network is a critical differentiator as AeroMéxico is Mexico’s only widebody operator while it faces intensifying competition and overcapacity in the domestic and transborder markets," the CAPA report said.

In addition, the last of the Mexican carrier's four B777-200(ER)s - used on flights to Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini, Madrid Barajas, Cancún, Rio de Janeiro International, São Paulo Guarulhos, Shanghai Pudong and Tijuana - will also be phased out in 2018, the CEO added.