Mexico’s surplus aircraft, an update
For over three years, the Mexican government is 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). Scramble Magazine wrote first on the Dreamliner's nightmare in January 2022.
After the unsuccessful sale at FAMEX 2019, Mexico’s premier aviation venue, held in April 2019 at Santa Lucia, the government choose to offer its surplus executive jets and helicopters in smaller batches for auction, under the banner to “bring back revenue of these sales to the people, following mismanagement of state funds by previous governments”.
So far, these smaller auctions have seen limited success. Among the aircraft and helicopters sold over the last three years have been the four presidential Aerospatiale AS332L Super Pumas, the back-up presidential Boeing 757 TP-02, a VIP Beechcraft King Air 350i, one out of two presidential Eurocopter EC225LPs and two Gulfstream Jets. On the other hand, a dozen Bell UH-1H helicopters and the presidential Boeing 737 proved harder to sell, not to mention the most debated one of all, the presidential Boeing 787-8 TP-01/XC-MEX. Even a raffle was announced by El Presidente to get rid of the aircraft he refused to fly.
Eager to close off the saga successfully, President López Obrador has announced a new course of action. The remainder of the surplus aircraft, namely the Boeing 787, but also four or five surviving presidential Leonardo AW109SP helicopters will serve the people again.
The Mexican government has bought the brand name of Mexicana de Aviación last month, Mexico’s flagship airline that ceased operations in 2010. The plan is to reinstate the airline, lease a number of Airbuses and Boeings and add the Boeing 787 to the fleet list. Who does not want to fly in a posh Boeing 787 when spending the holidays in Mexico?
The airline will be operated by SEDENA (the Mexican department of defense) from Santa Lucia, which has meanwhile been turned into Mexico City’s second international airport. As for two surplus Bombardier CL-605s not yet sold, these may be turned into ISR-aircraft for the Mexican Air Force.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the AW109SPs will be deployed to secure Mexico’s famous Maya Train route, running luxurious tourist trains along the Mayan highlights in eastern Mexico. A new squadron, Escuadrón Aéreo 304, will operate the helicopters, which have resumed test flights last month.
The AW109SPs will be flown from Palenque, Chetumal, Tulum and Merida, along the Maya Train route. They will be equipped to perform medical evacuation, reconnaissance, transport, and monitoring missions. Although not confirmed, their parent base may be in Merida, which already houses some air force units.
Scramble Magazine is looking forward to receive additional information on the latests developments. If you have more information, please contact us at at
Photos by Peter Heeneman and Jurgen van Toor (both Scramble Archive), Maya Train Route via FAM