Aerolínea Del Estado Mexicano

Mexicana de Aviación (legally ''Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.'') is a Mexican state owned and low-cost 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, the Official Journal of the Federation 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.”

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.

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

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

It began its inaugural flight from AIFA to Tulum. However, the flight briefly diverted to Mérida due to weather before finally landing in Tulum.

Operations

The airline intended to start operations on 1 December 2023, with a planned fleet of 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft. However, in November 2023, the airline did not yet receive a valid Air Operator Certificate at the time and Boeing postponed delivery of the 737 planes. The airline used an Embraer 145 aircraft for certification, wet leased from TAR Aerolíneas, and was registered as "XA-VGQ". The airline initially reduced its destination count from 20 to 9 destinations. The fleet will consist of two Boeing 737-800 and one 737-300 jets, all inherited from the Mexican Air Force.

In March 2024, the airline has announced plans to purchase 10 Embraer aircraft after Boeing's deal fell through, and deliveries are expected after 2025. It is suggested that they would operate the Embraer E175 and Embraer E195-E2 planes. The deal is yet to be confirmed.

Select flights are operated in partnership with TAR, using two of its 50-seated Embraer 145 planes.

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.

Destinations

The airline operates to a total of 20 domestic destinations within Mexico, including 9 operated by TAR; all from its hub in Santa Lucia.

Fleet

, Mexicana de Aviación operates the following aircraft:

See also

* Mexicana de Aviación
*List of airlines of Mexico
* Felipe Ángeles International Airport
* Transportation in Mexico
* Transport in Mexico City

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano
Mexicana de Aviación
Airlines established in 2023
Mexican companies established in 2023
Low-cost carriers