Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – The Mexican government officially announced on Thursday, May 18, the establishment of the Mexican State Airline, according to the decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). The Ministry of National Defense will oversee the airline’s operations.
The Congress had approved the army’s plans for the creation of the new airline, with 64 votes for, one abstention, and zero against, on April 29. The new entity will operate under the Mexicana de Aviación brand and will utilize the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as its primary hub.
The federal administration also aims to regain Category 1 status in air safety and revive the dormant Mexicana de Aviación brand. These goals formed part of the revisions to the Aviation and Airports Law, which the government deemed crucial for the restoration of Category 1 status. The amended law also accommodates the establishment of a state-owned airline.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that the state-run airline would be managed by army personnel and operate under the Mexicana de Aviación brand from the Felipe Ángeles airport.
Intended to primarily serve beneficiaries of social programs, the government-run airline also plans to operate routes currently overlooked by domestic airlines.
The formation of a budget airline with a fleet not exceeding 10 aircraft is expected to cost approximately 20 million dollars, contingent on prevailing lease conditions.
