Civil unrest in Mexico following the death of a drug cartel leader resulted in the cancellation of flights on Sunday, February 22 and Monday, February 23, including flights to and from major California airports such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Violence broke out in western Mexico on February 22 after a military operation killed drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera (known as “El Mencho”).
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a security alert for the Mexican states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon, urging U.S. citizens to shelter in place due to “ongoing security operations and associated road blockages and criminal activity.”
In addition, the Northeastern snowstorm canceled flights from Sky Harbor to Northeastern cities such as New York City, Boston, Newark and Philadelphia.
According to FlightAware, as of 10 a.m. on February 23, 128 flights in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have been canceled.
Los Angeles International Airport’s website shows multiple departing flights have been canceled, mostly to East Coast destinations including New York, Newark and Boston. Flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara on February 23 were also canceled.
Flight Aware also showed that 86 flights in and out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) were canceled on Monday, including all flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
What’s happening in Mexico?
The Mexican government issued a statement saying that Mexican army special forces are arresting Oceguera, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel. Mexican troops were attacked during the operation, resulting in a shootout.
Seven cartel members, including Oseguera, died in the operation. Four people died on the spot; three, including Oseguera, died while being transported to Mexico City.
Oseguera’s death sparked a wave of violence that included burning buses and blocking roads.
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs posted on X that U.S. citizens in areas affected by the violence should shelter in place, adding that most domestic and international flights in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were canceled. Ride-sharing services in Puerto Vallarta were also suspended.
Sam Rabindran, a spokesman for aviation analytics firm Cirium, said 33 of Puerto Vallarta’s 82 flights worldwide were canceled on Monday, accounting for about 40% of its operations.
Rabindran added that about 16% of flights to Guadalajara were canceled on Monday, which was 26 out of 162 flights worldwide.
What if my flight is cancelled?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) staff encourage travelers whose flights have been disrupted to check flight status with the airline before traveling to the airport and to follow the latest updates from the airline.
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are offering flexible travel options to passengers affected by unrest in Mexico.
American Airlines is waiving fare differences and change fees for customers scheduled to fly to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara between February 22 and 24, and can travel from now until March 3 as long as they stay in the same city pair and service class and book by February 24.
Southwest Airlines passengers departing from Puerto Vallarta who travel within 14 days of their original travel date can rebook without paying the fare difference.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the travel and tourism industry since 2014. His work as a consumer travel reporter for The Arizona Republic aims to help readers relieve travel stress and get the most value from their vacation. You can contact him at Michael.Salerno@usatodayco.com.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be contacted via: ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo On Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared in the Ventura County Star: California flights canceled, Mexico riots, East Coast storms
