Mexican government seeks to purchase Mexicana de Aviación’s maintenance base

The administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, through Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), is structuring an investment plan that would be around US$74 million to acquire the strategic Maintenance Base (MRO) of the extinct Mexicana de Aviación, located at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

Carlos Manuel Merino, General Director of ASA and former Governor of Tabasco, confirmed that work is underway on the proposal, which contemplates an initial investment of US$48 million for the purchase and another US$24.4 million for the modernization and refurbishment of the facilities. The objective is to complete the operation before October 2025, when the extension of the trust currently managed by MRO expires.

“The intention is that the government does not lose the steering role,” said Merino in recent statements to El Financiero.

He added that a mixed investment scheme is being explored, in which private capital, including foreign capital, could participate, and Mexicana's former workers would be included.

“What would be better if it were left with Mexicans… to propose to the workers that they become part of it, at the end of the day it is something they feel is theirs,” he explained.

Mexicana's MRO base is not a minor asset. Despite the airline's cessation of operations in 2010, this facility has continued to operate uninterruptedly and has maintained its financial stability. Its strategic value lies in its multiple international certifications (including FAA and EASA) and in being one of the few facilities worldwide certified to perform passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, a service in high demand in today's market. In addition, it has the capacity to simultaneously service 10 to 12 large aircraft and provides services to several national and international airlines.

The government acquisition takes on urgency due to the expiration of the trust that manages the MRO. Originally agreed for 10 years, this trust expired on April 3, 2024. In the absence of a sale, the unions secured an 18-month extension (until October 2025). If the sale is not completed by then, the assets could pass into the hands of the creditors of the former Mexicana.