Mexicana de Aviación, SAT Aero Escalate Legal Fight in US Courts

The legal conflict between Mexicana de Aviación and SAT Aero Holdings has escalated as both parties pursue litigation in the United States. The dispute centers on an alleged breach of contract involving aircraft leasing and staffing, with claims and counterclaims amounting to millions of dollars.

SAT Aero Holdings, a Texas-based company established by former executives of Mexican airlines, filed a lawsuit against Mexicana de Aviación in March 2024 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The company alleges that Mexicana de Aviación violated an US$838 million agreement for the supply of ten aircraft and their crews. SAT Aero Holdings is seeking US$9.9 million in damages, claiming that the Mexican government failed to integrate the aircraft into its fleet as agreed in 2023.

According to court documents, the case faced delays due to difficulties in serving legal notices to Mexicana de Aviación. SAT Aero Holdings has alleged that military officials pressured the company to adjust delivery timelines. "The lack of cooperation from Mexicana has put our entire company at risk," the company stated in its filings.

In response, Mexicana de Aviación filed a US$35 million counterclaim on Mar. 14, 2024, accusing SAT Aero Holdings of fraud. Mexicana de Aviación alleges that SAT Aero Holdings misled the airline by falsely claiming it could finance and deliver the ten aircraft between September and October 2023. "SAT fraudulently induced Mexicana to believe it controlled the aircraft, providing serial numbers and registration details despite lacking the financial capacity to secure them," the counterclaim states.

Mexicana de Aviación asserts that it paid SAT Aero Holdings a US$10 million deposit, which was never refunded. Furthermore, the airline claims SAT failed to supply certified pilots and crew as stipulated in the agreement. "SAT's breaches caused severe economic and reputational harm to Mexicana de Aviación, jeopardizing its viability as an airline," the counterclaim alleges.

As evidence, Mexicana de Aviación included a letter dated Sep. 28, 2023, from SAT Aero Holdings to General René Trujillo, director, GAFSACOMM, in which SAT apologized for failing to deliver the first two Boeing aircraft. The letter is presented to support Mexicana de Aviación's claims of SAT’s inability to fulfill contractual obligations.

The legal proceedings in New York will determine the outcome of this high-stakes financial dispute, involving the Mexican state-owned airline and a company led by former Mexican aviation executives. Both parties have retained legal counsel in Miami and New York.