Mexico’s military-run airline – Mexicana de Aviación – is scaling back its route network following a $50 million loss. The reincarnated airline began operations in December 2023.
According to Mexican newspaper El Financiero, the carrier will suspend service to eight destinations in the country. These routes were operated under wet lease by TAR Aerolineas.
The routes include flights to Acapulco, Campeche, Guadalajara, Nuevo Laredo, Puerto Vallarta, Uruapan, and Villahermosa. These cuts represent roughly half of the airline’s overall network.
TAR operated a fleet of Embraer regional jets on behalf of Mexicana. With TAR now “dropping out” of Mexicana’s network, the 1-year-old airline is left with just two ex-military Boeing 737 aircraft.
Run by the country’s military, the Mexicana brand was purchased by the Mexican government several years ago. The previous Mexicana airline went belly-up in 2010.
2024 Losses
During the first three quarters of 2024, Mexicana reported losses of over 932 million pesos (roughly $50 million). Its total revenues of nearly $12 million covered 20% of the carrier’s operating expenses, per Mexico Business News.
Some estimates indicate that the airline carries an average of 53 passengers per flight.
Last year, Mexicana placed an order for 20 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The first is slated to arrive in 2025.
