Mexico launched its army-run airline on Tuesday when the new Mexicana de Aviacion airline's first flight took off from Mexico City to the famous Caribbean beach town of Tulum.

Mexicana, the country's former national airline, is returning after a hiatus of 13 years with a new carrier owned by Mexico's Air Force. According to the Associated Press, this development underscores Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's emphasis on the vast role given to Mexico's armed forces.

(Photo : ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP via Getty Images)
A Volaris airplane test lands during the inauguration of the first part of the General Felipe Angeles International Airport, at the Santa Lucia Air Force Base in Zumpango, near Mexico City, on February 10, 2021.

Mexicana de Aviacion of Mexico

The military-run holding company overseeing Mexicana now manages various enterprises, including airports, hotels, trains, the country's customs service, and tourist parks.

Mexico's defense secretary, General Luis Cresencio Sandoval, defended the military's role in managing such varied businesses, asserting that this practice is commonplace in developed countries. 

While countries such as Cuba, Sri Lanka, Argentina, and Colombia have military-run airlines, they are typically small carriers with limited operations, often serving under-served or remote domestic routes, according to AP's report.

In contrast, Mexicana has ambitious plans to transport tourists from Mexico's cities to renowned resorts such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, and Mazatlan.  

Flights are scheduled every three or four days, mostly on weekends. The airline aims to position itself as a competitive choice, particularly in pricing. 

The initial 425 tickets sold for the Mexico City to Tulum route were offered at around $92, which the Mexican government claimed was around one-third cheaper than commercial flights.

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Unexpected Challenges on the First Flight of Mexicana 

However, the debut flight faced unexpected challenges. Due to adverse weather conditions in Tulum, Mexicana's Flight MXA 1788 had to be rerouted to the colonial city of Merida in Yucatan state.

After the delay, the flight resumed its course and eventually reached Tulum approximately five hours after departing from Mexico City, doubling the usual travel time.

Beyond established tourist destinations, Mexicana also envisions serving 16 small regional airports with limited or no flight connectivity. Notably, the airline appears to maintain a civilian cabin crew. 

Sandoval noted that Mexicana started its operations with three Boeing jets and two smaller planes leased from Embraer. The government aims to lease or acquire five more planes in early 2024.

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