Overview
- According to AFAC data, Mexicana carried 298,502 passengers in 2024 and 343,196 from January to October 2025, roughly 13% of its 2.6 million annual target, with average occupancy near 44%.
- U.S. Department of Transportation restrictions continue to block planned routes to cities such as Dallas, Houston and Chicago, and an industry expert says the barrier will persist through 2026.
- Experts cite the carrier’s base at AIFA—where limited air and ground connectivity constrains demand—as a structural drag on traffic and load factors.
- After an irregular restart using Mexican Air Force and TAR aircraft before securing an AOC, the airline now operates five Embraer E2 jets from a 20-aircraft order, with further deliveries expected in 2026 and 2027.
- Competitive pressure is rising as Volaris and Viva Aerobús announced a cooperative “Grupo Mexicano de Aerolíneas” intended to optimize operations and expand capacity.