In 2023, Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n returned to the market as a state-owned company under the control of the Mexican Army. Its relaunch was gradual and not without criticism. Now, just over a year since its comeback, the turbulence that many anticipated seems to have arrived.
The airline, reintroduced during the administration of AndrĆ©s Manuel LĆ³pez Obrador (AMLO), has suspended flights to eight destinations and reduced its operational fleet to only two owned aircraft, according to data from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) revealed by El Financiero.
Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges Mexicana faces and why many are questioning if a final goodbye is near.
Why did Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n suspend flights to 8 destinations?
According to official information, Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n ceased flights to Acapulco, Campeche, Guadalajara, Ixtapa, Nuevo Laredo, Puerto Vallarta, Uruapan, and Villahermosa starting Monday, January 6, 2025.
The cutback is part of a strategic review for 2025. During the “maƱanera” press conference that same day, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that this does not mean the end of the airline nor does it pose a risk to the brand.
However, this suspension of routes raises questions about the expansion plans the government announced, which promised to serve regional air markets that private airlines supposedly werenāt addressing adequately.
ALSO READ:Ā Mexico will produce low-cost electric cars; their price starts at $4,500
How many planes does Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n currently have?
In its first year of operations, Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n assembled a fleet of three owned aircraft and used two additional planes leased from Transportes AĆ©reos Regionales (TAR). This allowed the airline to carry out 19 daily operations, according to data provided by the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena, now Defensa), which manages the airline.
However, recent adjustments have reduced the number of available planes. TAR, which initially leased two aircraft and crews to Mexicana, terminated the agreement, forcing the company to reassess its approach as aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and TAR proved insufficient to cover the initially announced destinations.
What does the agreement with TAR entail, and how much did Mexicana pay?
To fulfill the promise of returning Mexicana to the skies, the federal government enlisted the Mexican Air Force, which provided three aircraft. However, these units were not enough to operate 20 routes, prompting a collaboration with TAR, an airline with five aircraft, each with a 50-passenger capacity.
At that time, a wet lease agreement was signed with TAR. A wet lease involves renting an aircraft along with its crew, excluding cabin attendants.
Through the agreement, the QuerƩtaro-based company operated routes like Acapulco and Villahermosa using its own planes and crews. The lease cost 333,067,238 pesos, according to the Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario y de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos Olmeca, Maya, Mexica (GAFSACOMM).
Although TAR experienced jet fuel (turbosina) payment issues in over 20,000 invoices between 2022 and September 2023, the federal government allowed it to continue operatingāsomething it didnāt do with airlines like Interjet or Aeromar in similar situations. However, the partnership with TAR didnāt last, seemingly putting Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n in a challenging position.
What are Mexicanaās plans to renew its fleet?
Amid questions about its limited number of planes, Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n announced in September 2024 the purchase of 20 E195-E2 aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. The plan includes the delivery of five of these aircraft in 2025. According to preliminary data, the acquisition will cost approximately 20 billion pesos, excluding operational expenses associated with deploying the planes.
At that time, the airline, operated by the Mexican Army, stated that its goal is to transport a cumulative total of 5.5 million passengers between 2025 and 2028āan ambitious target largely dependent on the availability of these new aircraft.
General JosƩ Gerardo Vega, head of GAFSACOMM, estimated that Mexicana would reach 3 million annual passengers by 2027, thanks to the phased addition of these 20 planes.
How does the route closure affect users?
The announced route cuts have left a bitter taste for those who had already purchased tickets for both tourist and business destinations. These connections include key national tourism hubs like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, the latter a port the federal government has aimed to revive economically after various natural disasters.
Mexicana merely stated on its website that users with canceled flights could request refunds, raising doubts about the airlineās management. In fact, several travel agencies continued selling tickets even after the route closures were announced, adding to the confusion among passengers.
What routes remain operational?
While it has ceased flights to eight destinations, the company will continue operating in Chetumal, Ciudad Victoria, Ixtepec, MazatlƔn, MƩrida, Monterrey, Palenque, Tijuana, Tulum, and San JosƩ del Cabo. These routes have emerged as the most popular for the airline in its first year of operation.
According to official data, the airline carried out a total of 7,217 operations between 2024 and early 2025, accumulating 9,637 flight hours and covering over 6 million kilometers. During that period, the five most demanded routes were Tijuana, Tulum, MĆ©rida, Ixtepec, and Ciudad Victoria, departing from the Felipe Ćngeles International Airport (AIFA).
How many passengers has Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n transported in one year?
Despite the setbacks, Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n managed to transport 382,011 passengers during its first year of operations, as confirmed by its director, Leobardo Ćvila BojĆ³rquez, on December 26, 2024.
This figure represents only 13% of the annual goal of 3 million passengers projected for 2027. However, the company remains optimistic, announcing the arrival of new planes and the strengthening of its cargo services.
Mexicana bets on cargo transportation
In October 2024, Mexicana entered the cargo transportation sector, moving 110,234 kilograms of merchandise in just a few months. By 2030, the official projection aims to achieve a 3% share of the national air cargo market. This strategy aligns with the global trend in the industry, where the cargo segment is becoming increasingly relevant for airlinesā sustainability.
Is Mexicana de AviaciĆ³nās farewell approaching?
Despite route closures and the exit of operating partners like TAR, the federal government and the presidency have made it clear that Mexicana de AviaciĆ³n will not disappear. Claudia Sheinbaum has insisted that the airline is and will remain āthe airline of the Mexican peopleā and that the adjustments are solely due to the need to restructure operations and sign more favorable leasing contracts.
The promise of a “Master Plan” for 2025 could steer Mexicana toward consolidation, enabling it to compete in a market dominated by private commercial airlines.
