Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said his government is studying the possibility of creating a publicly owned airline that would serve destinations that are currently not well served by air, website Aviacionline reported.
As part of his daily morning press conference last Tuesday, the president said the Secretariat for National Defense (SEDENA) could be in charge of operating an airline that would initially have 10 aircraft, including assisting the presidential aircraft to provide regular business services.
The President’s plane is the same Boeing 7878 acquired during Felipe Calderón’s administration and has caused controversy ever since it was acquired. The current president had spoken out against the purchase before taking office because he believed it represented a bad deal for Mexico. After taking office, he put the plane up for sale but never found a buyer.
“The economic analysis is being carried out,” said López Obrador. According to the president, his management is currently analyzing possible aircraft types to integrate the new company’s fleet. “However, I make it clear that no decision has been made yet, but that “it is very likely that next year there will be this new airline”.
He also said the measure would represent the return to Mexico “as a symbol and an emblem.” He also stressed that the investigation into the possible future of the airline needed to be expanded. With that in mind, he commented that “Mexicana” or some other designation “related to Mexico” would be the best option, although they should investigate the legal feasibility of that company name.
The memory of the Mexicana de Aviação
The Mexicana name attracted particular attention due to its affinity with Mexicana de Aviación, a national airline founded in 1921 that finally ceased operations in 2010. In the last decades of its operation, the company remained a largely stateowned enterprise.
On Wednesday, López Obrador reiterated that “it would be great if the name of Mexicana de Aviación was used in this company that could be created.” On the other hand, he promised to consult the exemployees of the extinct company and with them on the status of the proceedings to speak to the extraordinary dismissal.
However, he clarified that the Mexican government could not support a full bailout of the company. “We’re going to save the city, the people,” he said, true to his style, adding, “We must try to invest where there are benefits for the nation.”