Mexico's Boeing 737-800s go civil
For over four years, the current Mexican government has been trying to get rid of a large number of aircraft and helicopters of the armed forces, mainly from the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM, Mexican Air Force).
Many attempts to sell aircraft and helicopters, and in particularly the presidential Boeing 787, have seen alternating success and brought back only limited “revenue to the people, following mismanagement of state funds by previous governments” so far, as the government sought to phrase its attempts.
A significant milestone was reached in April 2023, when the most debated one of all, the presidential Boeing 787-8 TP-01/XC-MEX (40695), was sold to the government of Tajikistan which meant the end of the saga for the 787. Other ways have been sought by the government to keep its promises, like the AW109SPs helicopters that will be deployed to secure Mexico’s famous Maya Train route, running luxurious tourist trains along the Mayan highlights in eastern Mexico, operated by Escuadrón Aéreo 304.
Last January, the government has bought the brand name of Mexicana de Aviación, Mexico’s flagship airline that ceased operations in 2010. The airline will be reinstated, the air force’s passenger Boeing 737-800s will be included in the fleet, and a number of Airbuses will be leased to start commercial operations.
The airline will be operated by SEDENA (the Mexican department of defence) from Santa Lucia, which has meanwhile been turned into Mexico City’s second international airport, named Felipe Angeles. The first passenger flight of the new Mexicana is scheduled for late December 2023.
Meanwhile, two of the FAM’s three Boeing 737-800s, serials 3526 (44437) and 3528 (63325) have arrived at Saltillo Airport, Coahuila state, on 24 November and 2 December respectively. This past week, former 3526 emerged from the paint shop as XA-ASM in full Mexicana-colours. The third FAM Boeing 737-800, serial 3527 (63324), will likely follow suit. Escuadrón Aéreo 502 of the FAM also operates two older Boeing 737 models, 3520 (23133) and 3529 (24095), the latter with VIP-seating. It is unclear for now what will happen with these two aircraft.
The transfer of the FAM’s Boeing 737-800s to commercial operations will undoubtedly affect the strategic air transport capacities of the air force. Frequently, the 737-800s have been deployed overseas in support of Mexicans stranded abroad, like from Israel as late as October, or to supply emergency humanitarian aid abroad, as well as inside Mexico’s borders. With these aircraft being scheduled on passenger flights, they will not be readily available when they are needed most.
It remains to be seen how the capacity gap that has been created by this move will be filled in the future.
Credit photo: Enrique Giese (Scramble Archive)