The new Mexicana de Aviacion made its first flight on 26 December 2023.
The airline, now operated by the Mexican Ministry of Defense, made its inaugural flight from Mexico City’s Felipe Angeles Airport (NLU) to the new Tulum Airport (TQO) with a Boeing 737-800.
Unfortunately, the flight had to divert to Mérida due to bad weather and landed in Tulum much later than planned.
But the good news is that Mexicana is back flying 13 years after going bankrupt in 2010. The new Mexicana even uses the same green-and-white livery used by the privately owned Mexicana.
The Mexican government recently took over the airline’s brand and the Ministry of Defence now runs several airports, including Mexico City’s Felipe Angeles Airport (NLU) which will be Mexicana’s main base.
Routes
The airline is planning to fly from Felipe Angeles to multiple domestic destinations.
According to its website, the current destinations are:
Acapulco, Campeche, Chetumal, Ciudad Victoria, Guadalajara, Ixtepec, Mérida, Monterrey, Mazatlán, Nuevo Laredo, Palenque, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana, Tulum, Uruapan, Villahermosa and Ixtapa.
Fleet
The inaugural flight was operated with a Boeing 737-800. The Ministry of Defence says the airline began operations with three Boeing jets and two smaller leased Embraer planes.
The Boeings are believed to be two 737-800s and one 737-300. The two Embraers are wet-leased from TAR Aerolineas. The plan is also to lease four more Boeing 737-800s in 2024.
Felipe Angeles Airport (NLU)
The airline’s base is at Felipe Ángeles International Airport. Also known as Mexico City Felipe Ángeles International Airport or Mexico City-AIFA (NLU) is about 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Mexico City. It serves as the second airport for Greater Mexico City.
Like the airline, it is state-owned and run by the Ministry of Defense.
Tulum Airport (TQO)
Tulum Airport (TQO) officially known as Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport or Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum was officially inaugurated on December 1st, 2023.
Aeromexico and Viva Aerobus are currently operating flights to Tulum from Guadalajara (GDL), Mexico City (MEX/NLU), Monterrey (MTY), Tijuana (TIJ) and Toluca (TLC).
The airport is expected to begin receiving international flights in late March 2024.
Internet links
