Mexico City – During Thursday’s presidential morning press conference, the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA), Luis Crescencio Sandoval, announced the successful acquisition of Mexicana de Aviación by his department. In a significant move, he also revealed Puerto Vallarta as one of the first 20 flight destinations for the newly acquired airline.
Sandoval revealed that in September, the arrival of three aircraft is anticipated, followed by an additional seven in October, bringing the total number to ten Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These planes will be fully equipped with crews and pilots, creating employment opportunities for over 700 individuals.
The aircraft will be leased and are scheduled to commence operations in December. Each plane will boast a capacity of 180 passengers, offering a single-class economy experience without premium or business sections.
The Secretary of National Defense emphasized that ticket prices will be up to 20% cheaper than the prevailing market rates. Notably, Mexicana de Aviación will operate as a competitive player, positioning itself as a low-cost airline.
In addition to these revelations, it was confirmed that the aircraft will sport a livery reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, featuring the iconic eagle logo enveloped by a green hue on the tail fin. The turbines will be adorned with red accents, and the Mexican flag, along with the brand’s lettering, will be prominently displayed.
The headquarters of the reinvigorated Mexicana de Aviación will be established at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), and a secondary hub will be introduced at the new Tulum International Airport upon its completion.
Investing an initial sum of 4 billion pesos (about $235 million USD), the SEDENA aims to revitalize the airline after its 13-year hiatus following bankruptcy. This substantial commitment underscores the determination of the defense department to reestablish Mexicana de Aviación as a prominent player in the aviation industry.
By fleet size, the new state carrier will automatically become the fourth-largest in the country, surpassing the smaller and regional companies Transportes Aéreos Regionales, Calafia Airlines, and Aerus. It will also be the second-largest Boeing fleet in the country behind Aeromexico.
Mexicana de Aviación will begin operations flying 20 domestic routes across the country. Destinations include:
Cancun (CUN), Monterrey (MTY), Guadalajara (GDL), Tijuana (TIJ), Campeche (CPE), Chetumal (CTM), Mérida (MID), Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Zihuatanejo (ZIH), Cozumel (CZM), San José del Cabo (SJD), Hermosillo (HMO), Ciudad Juárez (CJS), Villahermosa (VSA), Huatulco (HUX), Oaxaca (OAX), Acapulco (ACA), Mazatlán (MZT), La Paz (LAP) & León (BJX).
With this comprehensive network, Mexicana de Aviación aims to serve both business and leisure travelers, facilitating convenient connections across Mexico’s most sought-after destinations. As the airline industry gains a fresh contender, travelers can anticipate enhanced options and affordable travel opportunities in the coming months.
With reports from Simple Flying • Vallarta en Línea