Background on Mexicana de Aviación and its Relevance
Mexicana de Aviación, under the management of the Mexican Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Defensa), is working towards financial stability. The airline, once a significant player in Mexico’s aviation industry, filed for bankruptcy in 2010. However, it has since been revived and is now on a path to regain its prominence.
Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez: The Driving Force
Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez, the current director of Mexicana de Aviación, is at the helm of this revival. His leadership and strategic vision are crucial in navigating the complex and competitive aviation industry.
Financial Goals and Progress
According to Mexicana’s institutional program, the airline aims to achieve financial equilibrium by 2030. By then, they project income of 3,854.2 million pesos, marking a 922% increase from their 2024 income of 376.9 million pesos.
“We need to take it step by step, mature, and we are in that process,” Ávila Bojórquez explained during the celebration of Mexicana’s second anniversary. “Mexicana has a short-term, medium-term, and long-term plan. In the medium term, it will reach its break-even point, achieved through economies of scale… the airline becomes more efficient as capacity increases.”
Current Operations and Future Expansion
Despite the challenges, Mexicana continues to fulfill its payment obligations of 21,759.2 million pesos for the acquisition of 20 new Embraer aircraft, along with necessary ground support equipment and tools.
This year, Mexicana received its first five E195-E2 aircraft, each with a capacity for 132 passengers. Four of these are already in operation, while the process to return three Boeing aircraft borrowed from the Mexican Air Force for December 2023 operations is underway.
By 2026, Mexicana will receive seven more aircraft, and in 2027, the final eight. The airline aims to have a modern fleet of 50 aircraft by 2050, connecting Mexico more effectively to major domestic and international destinations.
Current Performance and Future Projections
- Current Connectivity: Mexicana currently connects 14 national destinations from the Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Ángeles (AIFA). By the end of this year, they expect to have served approximately 451,000 passengers, a 19% increase from previous years.
- Future Projections: By 2026, Mexicana anticipates a 106% increase in passengers, reaching nearly one million. By 2030, they aim for 2.6 million passengers, capturing a 3.5% share in the national market—up from 0.6% in the previous year.
Complementing Connectivity, Not Competing
“We celebrate two years of a stronger, modern Mexicana, ready to keep connecting Mexico with more accessible flights for all sectors of the country,” Ávila Bojórquez stated. The airline’s strategy focuses on complementing the country’s connectivity rather than competing with other airlines, ultimately benefiting tourism and the economy.
In the first half of 2026, Mexicana will maintain its current 14 national routes. The second half will see the introduction of three new international routes, subject to approval and commercialization.
Although there are 11 international routes of interest from AIFA, such as Chicago, New York, or Atlanta, current U.S. restrictions prevent their initiation.
