Rocky Relaunch: Mexican Government Airline’s Inaugural Flight Diverts Amidst Fuel Leak and Fog

by Gary Leff

The ‘new’ Mexicana – the former failed Star Alliance and later oneworld airline, relaunched by the government of Mexico – was set to make its first-ever flight today from Santa Lucía to the new airport in Tulum. Unfortunately flight 1788 didn’t make it as planned, but diverted to Merida instead.

This was reportedly due to fog in Tulum (though other airlines did land there, but some did divert), however the repurposed military Boeing 737-800 was inspected on arrival in Merida due to “spilling liquid from one of the wings.” One commenter noted that on the ground in Merida the aircraft was losing more fuel than at the new Pemex Dos Bocas refinery.

Once on the ground the airline reported that the aircraft would refuel and then “wait..for better conditions to fly to its destination.” It did make it to Tulum later in the day.

Mexicana shut down 13 years ago. Mexico’s President, seeking use of the new Felipe Ángeles Mexico City airport he campaigned on, declared that the military would resuscitate the brand and run a commercial airline.

The original Mexicana was one of the oldest airlines in the world when it went out of business in August 2010. The carrier had been flying to the U.S. since 1920, when it began operating Mexico City to Tuxpan to Tampico to Brownsville, Texas with a Ford Trimotor. The carrier, partially-owned by the Mexican government, went into bankruptcy, and a great deal was revealed about how key executives used the business for tax fraud and money laundering.

Already Mexico is well-served by airlines like Aeroméxico and Volaris. There is zero commercial reason for this airline to exist. Perhaps the carrier’s first flight, which was insisted on occurring ‘in 2023’ is something of an omen.

(HT: @crucker)

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. I flew on Mexicana a few times during the 1980s and was satisfied with the flights. I hope that the new Mexicana is as good. Maybe USA airlines can learn from them.

  2. Zero *commercial* reason to exist, yes.

    But numerous illegal, smuggling, money laundering, cartel fugitive transport, and other reasons.

    It will be just like old times. Nothing ever changes, Que Maravilla!

  4. ” There is zero commercial reason for this airline to exist” … isn’t competition a good thing … MSP is “well served” by Delta, but they need more airlines to drive down prices because it’s better for the consumer.

  5. Well, between Santa Lucia, Mexicana and getting rid of the Government 787 (to instead fly in coach on Delta 737s!), AMLO sure is making his mark during his six year term as El Presidente!

  6. As always, lots of flair and no follow thru. I have never seen a major MX government pay attention to the formal details. Lots of verbal verbosity, snap and flash, but the reality doesn’t match.

  7. There are a lot of great reasons to start this airline like cronyism and market distortion for political gain. Ole’!

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