Brazilian plane maker Embraer and Mexican state-owned airline Mexicana have signed a long-term agreement to use Embraer’s AHEAD predictive maintenance platform on the airline’s E2 fleet, Embraer said in a press release.

AHEAD, short for Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis, analyses aircraft data to identify and anticipate potential faults before they become critical events, according to Embraer.

The company said this helps airlines improve operational reliability and fleet efficiency. Mexicana currently operates five E195-E2s and five E190-E2s.

Embraer said the platform monitors systems including the auxiliary power unit, fuel, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, avionics, engines, navigation, air conditioning, and flight controls. It analyses data in flight and on the ground using advanced analytics and predictive algorithms, the company said.

It added that the system can reduce unscheduled downtime, lower maintenance costs, and cut CO₂ emissions by preventing unnecessary fuel burn caused by technical problems.

“AHEAD represents the next step; by using the data generated by each aircraft, we can anticipate maintenance needs and schedule them in a timely manner,” said Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez, Mexicana’s CEO.

He said the initiative would strengthen the airline’s operational performance as its fleet and route network grow.

Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, said the agreement strengthens the long-term collaboration between the two companies as the airline expands its E2 operations.

He said the platform supports “a more predictive, data-driven approach to maintenance” that helps increase fleet availability and reduce disruptions.

Mexicana has ordered 20 E2 aircraft, 10 E190-E2s, and 10 E195-E2s in a deal announced in 2024, the release said. The release did not give the value of the maintenance agreement or its duration.

According to the release, Mexicana began operations on December 26, 2023, and carried more than 1.33 million passengers between then and October 2026. It operates from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to 20 destinations across Mexico.

The airline is the first and only carrier in Mexico to fly the E2 family, the release said. Its E190-E2s seat 108 passengers, and its E195-E2s seat holds 132.

Source: PR