Mexicana de Aviación (2023–present)

Mexicana de Aviación (legally Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.)[3] is a Mexican domestic, state-owned airline established on 15 June 2023. It operates under the historical commercial name Mexicana de Aviación, after the government acquired the former airline's brands and assets on 9 August 2023.

The airline is managed by the Secretariat of National Defense and its headquarters is at Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

History

On 18 May 2023,[4] the Official Journal of the Federation[5] listed the creation of the company Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, S.A. de C.V, that will "promote, operate and provide the public service of national and international regular air transport of passengers, cargo, mail or a combination of these, on its own account or through public or private persons."[6]

In August 2023, deals were finalized by the Mexican government, which introduced the airline during a press conference. After briefly launching ticket pre-sales in September, the airline planned to begin operations in December 2023.[7][8][9]

In October 2023, the airline was granted an Assignment Title by the Federal Civil Aviation Agency.[10][11]

The first aircraft was delivered on 17 December 2023, registered as "XA-ASM". It made its maiden test flight from Santa Lucia to Tijuana.[12]

The inaugural flight was on 26 December 2023 from Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Tulum International Airport, though the flight briefly diverted to Mérida due to weather before finally landing in Tulum.[1][13]

In January 2025, it was announced that Mexicana has ended services to seven destinations, and that it has begun a restructuring process.[14]

Operations

The airline intended to start operations on 1 December 2023, with a planned fleet of 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. However, it did not receive a valid air operator's certificate at the time and delivery was postponed.[15][16] The airline used an Embraer 145 aircraft for certification, wet leased from TAR Aerolíneas, and was registered as "XA-VGQ".[17][18] The airline initially reduced its destination count from 20 to 9.[19][20] The fleet was planned to consist of two Boeing 737-800 and one 737-300, all inherited from the Mexican Air Force.[21]

In March 2024, the airline announced plans to purchase 10 Embraer aircraft after Boeing's deal fell through, and deliveries were expected after 2025. It was suggested that they would operate the Embraer E175 and Embraer E195-E2 planes.[22][23] In June 2024, it was confirmed that Mexicana has ordered 20 Embraer E2 aircraft, consisting of 10 E190-E2 and 10 E195-E2 jets.[24]

Select flights are operated in partnership with TAR, using two of its 50-seated Embraer 145 planes.[1][25][26][27] As of 2025, only one leased aircraft from TAR remain operational for three destinations due to its partnership termination, and as part of Mexicana's change of operations.[28][14]

Lawsuit

In March 2024, the airline was sued by Texas-based SAT Aero Holdings, seeking up to $841 million in damages due to issues such as failing to pay $5.5 million for aircraft leasing, contract breaching, and failure to obtain licenses for importing aircraft. SAT was recruited to provide services to the airline. A complaint was filed in Manhattan, and the Mexican military defense did not have any information regarding the case.[29][30][31]

Destinations

As of August 2025, Mexicana de Aviación flies to a total of 12 domestic destinations.[27][32]

Mexicana has announced additional routes will be incorporated following work to strengthen the airport infrastructure:[42]

• Apodaca, Nuevo León
• Tulum, Quintana Roo
• Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca
• Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas
• Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
• Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche
• Ciudad Obregón, Sonora
• Loreto, Baja California Sur
• Palenque, Chiapas
• Nogales, Sonora
• Puebla
• Tamuín, San Luis Potosí
• Uruapan, Michoacán
• Matamoros, Tamaulipas
• Colima
• Guaymas, Sonora

Fleet

As of December 2025, Mexicana de Aviación operates the following aircraft:

See also

• Mexicana de Aviación (1921–2010)
• List of active airlines of Mexico
• Felipe Ángeles International Airport
• Transportation in Mexico
• Transport in Mexico City

External links