MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's state-owned airline Mexicana will next year purchase five planes from Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer, followed by seven in 2026 and eight in 2027, as it looks to boost a passenger fleet offering affordable air travel options.

Mexicana Chief Leobardo Avila made the announcement in a morning press conference on Thursday after the government announced earlier this year it would buy 20 planes.

(This story has been corrected to say next year, not this year, in the headline)

(Reporting by Raul Cortes and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez)