Mexico’s Military-Run Airline Eyes U.S. Service

The reincarnated Mexicana – now operated by the Mexican military – is looking to bolster its route network with new international service, including routes to the U.S. The airline began operations late last year and says it has flown nearly 141,000 passengers so far.

In a recent press briefing, the general director of the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica, S.A. de C.V. José Gerardo Vega Rivera, which operates Mexicana, said the company plans to add 11 new destinations. These include Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Havana, San Jose, Costa Rica, Panama, and Bogotá, all of which would depart from Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles airport.

The airline also plans to open new operating bases in Tijuana and Tulum. From these bases, the government says it can expand the carrier’s route offerings to include Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver along with Portland. In addition, the carrier could add service to Punta Cana, Caracas, and Lima.

“Mexicana is working very well and will consolidate itself with the acquisition of these 20 new aircraft. The operation has already been carried out, the contracts have already been signed and it is always thinking that there is competition so that the consumer, who needs a service, is charged fairly, that there are no monopolies. This is going to help a lot to maintain good prices on plane tickets,” Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during the briefing.

Currently, the airline only operates within Mexico with a handful of Boeing 737-800s and Embraer 145s. Last week, Mexicana and Embraer inked a deal for 20 new Embraer E2 aircraft, becoming the first Mexican operator to purchase the type.

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Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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