Mexicana Boeing 737 getting a water salute in Mexico City before taking off for Tulum.
Mexicana Boeing 737 getting a water salute at the military-run airport in Mexico City before taking off for Tulum.
  • The military-owned airline Mexicana had to divert during its first flight on Tuesday.
  • The previous iteration of the Mexican carrier was one of the oldest in the world before collapsing in 2010.
  • Mexicana hopes to provide more affordable air travel in Mexico and expand to lesser-served cities.

Mexicana was one of the world's oldest airlines before its collapse in 2010. Now, nearly 14 years later, a government-run carrier is up and flying with the same name — but it's not off to a smooth start.