Passengers Stranded in Cancun, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo as Air Canada, LATAM, Flybondi, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and JetBlue Face Over 222 Flight Delays and 11 Cancellations Across Cancun, Jorge Newbery, and São Paulo-Guarulhos Airports

Published on December 26, 2025

Cancun International Airport, Buenos Aires’ Jorge Newbery Aeroparque and São Paulo–Guarulhos International have seen an alarming spike in flight delays and cancellations this week. Tens of thousands of passengers have been affected, with airport officials and national transport agencies reporting pressure on infrastructure and staffing amid the busiest part of the year. Families, holidaymakers and business travellers who expected smooth journeys have instead encountered uncertainty — long queues, changing itineraries and mounting frustration. According to figures aggregated from airport operations and airline sources, delays at the three major hubs total more than 220 flights, while cancellations exceed 10 flights — prompting calls for more robust oversight from government authorities including Mexico’s Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, Argentina’s Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC Brasil).

Soaring Delays Cast a Shadow Over Cancun Holiday Plans

Cancun International stands out with the highest number of delays among the three airports, recording 111 delayed flights in a single 24‑hour period. In addition, at least six flights were cancelled outright. This dramatic disruption has thrown travel plans into disarray for thousands of passengers arriving from or departing to key North American and European cities. Data shows that carriers such as JetBlue, VivaAerobus and Air Canada Rouge saw a disproportionate share of delayed flights, while a significant portion of cancellations originated on routes connecting to Toronto Pearson and Montreal‑Trudeau.

Passengers are reporting lengthy waits at customer service desks and gate areas as airlines scramble to rebook flights and accommodate stranded travellers. Mexican civil aviation watchdogs have acknowledged the challenges, pointing to a combination of operational bottlenecks and high seasonal demand as key contributors. In statements released on official government portals, airport authorities are urging travellers to check flight statuses before departure and to allocate extra time for security and boarding procedures.

Buenos Aires’ Jorge Newbery Feels the Strain

At Jorge Newbery Aeroparque — the domestic and regional gateway in Argentina’s capital — operations were disrupted by 39 flight delays and two cancellations. Though smaller than the figures seen in Cancun, these interruptions have had outsized impact given the airport’s importance to domestic connectivity, including critical links to Patagonia, Córdoba and Mendoza.

Airlines such as Flybondi, GOL Linhas Aéreas, LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas reported both delayed departures and schedule volatility. According to reports on Argentina’s aviation oversight website, mechanical issues, crew shortages and ground handling delays contributed to the operational instability. Passengers travelling for family visits and work commitments have described uncertainty and stress as their flights were pushed back by multiple hours, often without timely updates through airline communication channels.

A spokesperson from the Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil reiterated that the authority is monitoring airport conditions closely and coordinating with airlines to reduce the ripple effect of delays. Passengers affected by cancellations or lengthy delays have the right, under Argentina’s aviation consumer protection regulations, to seek compensation or alternative travel arrangements.

São Paulo–Guarulhos Reports Disruptions Across International Routes

São Paulo–Guarulhos International, Brazil’s primary international gateway, logged at least 72 delayed flights alongside three cancellations in the same reporting period. Airlines operating long‑haul and regional services experienced a range of issues — from weather‑related ground handling slowdowns to air traffic management constraints — that compounded delays. LATAM Brasil, GOL Linhas Aéreas and Delta Air Lines were among carriers reporting significant schedule disruptions.

Many of these delays involved flights connecting to major global airports such as Newark Liberty, Madrid‑Barajas and Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International. Aviation experts note that when delays cascade from one hub to another, the disruption multiplies rapidly across airline networks. Brazilian civil aviation authorities — operating under mandates from the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil — are tracking performance data in hopes of identifying systemic bottlenecks.

Airline and Airport Responses

Across all three airports, airline representatives stress that safety remains the top priority even as flights are delayed or cancelled. In press statements posted on official websites, carriers highlight that they are deploying additional staff, expediting aircraft maintenance and offering alternate travel options where possible. They also urge travellers to use airline mobile apps and text alerts for the most up‑to‑date status reports.

Airport management teams have implemented peak‑season contingency plans, including expanded customer service hubs and passenger assistance teams. Mexico’s airport authority (Grupo Aeroportuario del Caribe) has been actively coordinating with immigration and security agencies to ease terminal congestion and expedite passenger flows.

Government and Regulatory Oversight

Transport ministries and civil aviation regulators in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil have all published public advisories for travellers. These advisories detail passenger rights during disruptions, airline obligations and contact information for consumer complaint units. For instance, Mexico’s Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes outlines compensation protocols for delayed or cancelled flights, while ANAC Brasil’s public safety notices reiterate operational standards airlines must meet under federal regulations.

In Argentina, ANAC’s online passenger portal lists real‑time flight information and offers guidance on fee waivers and rebooking options. Aviation officials emphasise that disruptions of this magnitude — though not unprecedented — underscore the need for improved investment in air traffic control capacity and ground operations resilience. Such investments are critical as Latin America’s tourism rebound drives unprecedented travel demand.

Passenger Experiences Highlight Human Cost

For many travellers, the disruptions have been deeply personal. Stories abound of families missing connecting flights, business travellers forced to extend hotel stays at their own expense, and international visitors stranded at terminals with little information. One couple heading from Buenos Aires to Cancun for a long‑awaited holiday described the emotional toll of repeated schedule changes, stressing that clear communication from airlines would have eased much of the stress.

Social media channels have become forums for passengers to share real‑time updates, photos of long queues and tips on navigating the chaos. Consumer advocacy groups are urging travellers to document expenses and communication with carriers, as many airlines have committed to refund or accommodation options where delays exceed regulatory thresholds.

Looking Ahead: What Travellers Should Know

As Latin America heads into the peak travel season, industry analysts caution that similar disruptions could continue unless operational enhancements are implemented swiftly. Airlines are under pressure to balance fleet utilisation with crew scheduling and maintenance demands, while airports must manage soaring demand alongside evolving safety protocols.

Officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and regional aviation agencies are expected to meet in the coming weeks to address structural challenges exposed by this wave of disruptions. Among proposed solutions are improved air traffic control investments, enhanced real‑time communication systems and passenger‑centric service models.