Mexicana, an airline under the command of the Army, requested the government of Donald Trump to authorize the operation of charter flights between any Mexican airport and any US terminal. Mexicana's intention is to obtain US approval to fly from the Mexican cities where the 2026 World Cup matches will be held to other World Cup venues in the United States such as Seattle, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. This Wednesday, the general director of the state airline Mexicana de Aviación, Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez, announced that it will expand routes and increase frequencies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the morning press conference, Ávila highlighted that Mexicana is in a phase of consolidation in the domestic market. "Mexicana is currently consolidating in a national market, above all with results, with growth from both a commercial and operational point of view," he stated. For the Holy Week vacation season, the airline will increase its flights by 35% compared to last year, with 42 additional operations between March 27 and April 13. Ávila explained that this increase is part of a broader strategy heading towards the 2026 World Cup. "We are flying, and the frequencies are already higher (...) not only for this Holy Week season, but also preparing for the next major sporting event, the World Cup in our country," he affirmed. To meet this demand, Mexicana increased its operations to Guadalajara and Monterrey by 13 weekly flights, and recently opened a direct route to Los Cabos. The current 14 destinations include beaches such as Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo; cities like Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Tijuana; and "adventure" routes like Palenque, Mérida, and Campeche. After the sanction imposed by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), which revoked 13 routes operated by Mexican airlines to the US from AIFA, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pointed out this Wednesday that the sanction is being resolved. "The growth of several lines or flights to the US was already planned. Starting in June, we are considering integrating a route between AIFA (Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Mexico City) and the airport in Acapulco," she indicated. In July, the AIFA–Hermosillo connection will be added and three additional destinations yet to be announced. Ávila highlighted the new-generation fleet, with cabins configured 2+2. "Where nobody arrives, Mexicana is arriving," said Ávila, highlighting the connection with cities like Palenque, Ixtepec, and Ciudad Victoria. The general director also announced the expansion of the fleet: from five aircraft in 2025 to 12 by December 2026 and 20 by the end of 2027. This will allow for new routes to be opened this same year. "Here you don't pay to sit by the window or the aisle," he assured, and added that the new aircraft reduce "noise inside the cabin by 68%". Mexicana is also promoting its loyalty program, the sale of tourist packages and charter flights, as well as promotions like "First Class Tuesdays". According to data presented today, the company has commercialized more than 1.2 million tickets and has transported "more than 953,600 passengers." The executive emphasized that these results reflect "the preference of users to now be using the airline of the Mexican state" and added that the company has accumulated "more than 19,900 flight hours in more than 14,400 commercial flights." "We are about to resolve it, because the resolution of that issue is going very well," he stated.
