Mexican Army-Run Airline Makes First Flight to Resort Town

The military's role in the revival of state-run Mexicana airlines is to ‘rescue’ it from corruption, according to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 12:26 PM ET

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A Mexicana Boeing 737-800 makes the inaugural flight of the military-run state airline on Tuesday. [Courtesy: Mexicana]

Key Takeaways:

Mexico's military has relaunched the former state-operated Mexicana airlines, with its inaugural flight departing from Mexico City to the new Tulum International Airport in the Caribbean.
The Mexican government spent $48 million to acquire the Mexicana brand, stating the military's role is to protect the airline from corruption and offer tickets approximately one-third cheaper than commercial competitors.
Mexicana will initially serve 14 destinations, focusing on both popular tourist locations and underserved communities, beginning operations with five aircraft and plans for fleet expansion next year.

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Mexico’s military has revived the country’s former state-operated Mexicana airlines, launching service from Mexico City to a new international airport in the Caribbean.

A Mexicana de Aviación Boeing 737-800—operating as MXA 1788—made the inaugural flight Tuesday morning, departing Felipe Ángeles International Airport (MMSM) near Mexico City and landing at Tulum International Airport (MMTU) around 1:30 p.m. local time.