Boeing Commercial Airplanes has confirmed to an online publication that it is working with the government of Mexico on the latter’s plan to acquire and restart the idle airline Mexicana, which shut down in 2010 after 89 years in operation.
“Boeing is working with the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to support the Mexicana de Aviación project,” according to a statement by the OEM to Simply Flying. “Boeing and Mexico have been partners for over 60 years, and the country plays an important role in Boeing’s global strategy. Mexico is Boeing’s largest supplier nation in Latin America and one of Boeing’s top 10 in the world for sourcing airplane components and assemblies.”
Further details about the scope of Boeing’s participation were not provided.
Compañía Mexicana de Aviación (aka, Mexicana de Aviación, aka Mexicana) operated from 1921 until 2010, when it was declared bankrupt and ceased activity. It had been Mexico's largest airline, part of the Star Alliance, and served all major domestic destinations as well as Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International Airports.
On May 1, Mexican president López Obrador announced that the Mexican army will acquire the former airline’s brand and operate the carrier on regional routes, as well U.S. destinations.
In his announcement, Lopez Obrador added, “we are already talking with Boeing, and even though it is not a direct agreement, they are helping us. ... I spoke with the general manager of Boeing to secure the planes that will be used in the Mexicana de Aviación airline, which is going to start operations this year.”
The government’s plan follows the inauguration last year of Felipe Ángeles International Airport about 30 miles north of Mexico City.
The army is also responsible for operating the airport. Reportedly, the federal government has reformed regulations to allow the army to oversee operations of the airport and the new airline, though a number of other carriers are currently serving domestic routes from that hub now.
