Aeromexico plans for slower growth in 2017 on Trump election

DUBLIN, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Aeromexico expects slower growth this year as a result of the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump's policies as U.S. president, but the airline's finance chief said he was optimistic about Trump's four-year term, which begins on Friday.

Analysts expect Mexico's economy to grow at the slowest pace in four years in 2017 following Trump's vow during the election campaign to change trade relations with its southern neighbour, a Reuters poll found on Wednesday.

"Some businesses are in a wait-and-see mode and because of that we are being more cautious in our planning, growing slower than we would have anticipated previously," Chief Financial Officer Ricardo Baker told the Global Airfinance conference in Dublin.

"If things start to pick up, we have the flexibility" to react, he added.

So far biggest impact of the election has been in sharp currency movements, though Aeromexico has some natural hedges to protect itself against such movements, Baker said.

He also said he was optimistic about the medium-term prospects for the Mexican economy and said Trump, who is due to be inaugurated as the United States' 45th U.S. president on Friday, could have a positive impact.

"We are optimistic in the sense that things might happen that are important and positive for the economy like the modernisation of the North American Free Trade Agreement," Baker said.

ALLEGIANT

Speaking at a separate conference in Dublin on Tuesday, U.S. low-cost carrier Allegiant, whose operations are concentrated in states that voted for Trump, said it had seen an improvement in demand since the November election.

"Since the election we have had a significant acceleration in short term bookings," Chief Operating Office Jude Bricker said, adding that a proposed cut in corporate tax would also have significant benefits for his business. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Greg Mahlich)