Mexicana, Mexico’s revived airline is all set to launch again in September 2023 powered by a fleet of B737-800s, confirmed Mexican government. The airline will be run by Mexico’s national army. Interestingly the army also manages Mexico’s trains, law enforcement and tourism.
“The airline will have a fleet of 10, B737-800s leased from Boeing,” Mexico’s defence secretary, Luis Cresencio Sandoval confirmed in a press conference.
The first aircraft will be delivered on September 30, 2023, followed by seven more on October 30, 2023. The aircraft livery will be painted in green, white and red with the new name of the airline - Mexicana de Aviación on the new planes.
The initial government investment will be around $235 million including rental of aircraft, maintenance, fuel, rental of destination real estate, ground support equipment and company equipment.
The government is currently looking at operating 20 routes among Mexico’s biggest and midsize cities, plus its popular tourist destinations, such as Cancun.
As part of the agreement to purchase the Mexicana brand, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ensured that the 8,500 former employees who lost their jobs when the original airline collapsed in 2010 have received compensation.