Interjet proposes franchises in Guatemala, with no launch date yet

Interjet has included Guatemala among the countries where it hopes to develop operations through franchising. Carlos del Valle, the company’s executive chairman, said he is in talks with businesspeople in Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador about pursuing this model. The proposal involves five Airbus aircraft and an investment of approximately US$100 million per franchise, but there is no launch date and no partners have been publicly identified.

A proposal presented to the franchising community

According to a report by Milenio on 22 October 2026, Del Valle outlined the project at the 10th Latin American Franchise Congress. His proposal is to bring the Interjet brand to Central American markets through partners who would help develop the business, rather than relying exclusively on company-owned operations in Mexico.

“I am already in talks with Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador,” the executive said at the event. The statement places Guatemala within exploratory regional discussions, rather than confirming a launch in the country.

For Guatemala’s franchising community, the announcement presents an air transport proposal combining use of a brand with aircraft, training and operational services. However, it remains a project: Del Valle did not identify the companies that would participate in any of the three countries.

The stated intention is to use Interjet’s brand recognition to enter other markets. The strategy was presented almost six years after the airline suspended flights, while it continues to address unresolved issues arising from its bankruptcy.

Five aircraft and supporting services

The model described by Del Valle includes the provision of five Airbus aircraft for each operation, together with staff training, management and operational services. The announced investment is approximately US$100 million per franchise.

“For specific markets, we offer a franchise: we provide five Airbus aircraft with all training, management and operations included,” the executive chairman explained, according to Milenio.

That figure relates to the proposal for each franchise; it is not a confirmed investment in Guatemala. Nor was there any explanation of how each operation would be financed or which companies would provide the necessary funds.

The announcement therefore contains two specific elements: a proposed initial fleet of five aircraft and a package of management, operational and training support. It does not, however, include a timetable for bringing the aircraft into service. This distinction matters when assessing the project’s commercial scope: a franchise offer is not the same as an airline operation ready to launch.

A return still depends on resolving outstanding issues

Interjet is pursuing this expansion route while legal, employment and commercial matters remain unresolved following its bankruptcy. Del Valle acknowledged that legal and administrative obstacles must be overcome before its plans can be implemented.

The company has not set a date for operations to begin under the proposed model. It has also not specified when ticket sales might start. The announcement therefore provides no basis for predicting when flights might become available to passengers in Guatemala.

Talks with potential partners are not the same as signed contracts. Although franchising is the main expansion route announced by Del Valle, presenting the proposal does not in itself guarantee a resumption of flights.

For Guatemala, the information disclosed is limited to the existence of talks and the broad outline of the proposal. It does not confirm that a local operation has been established or identify the businessperson or group that would take on the franchise.

What to check before assessing the proposal

For those tracking opportunities in the franchising sector, the next step will be to distinguish progress in negotiations from formal commitments. Points requiring clarification include the identity of the partners, financing for each operation, the aircraft delivery and entry-into-service timetable, and the resolution of the obstacles acknowledged by the company.

Practical takeaway: Interjet has expressed interest in Guatemala, but has not yet confirmed an operational franchise. Before considering an investment or making travel plans, it is worth waiting for signed contracts, clearly identified operators and verifiable dates.