Thousands of travelers are isolated in Mexico due to 118 delayed flights and 56 cancellations across Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Lic. Benito Juarez airports

Published on December 15, 2025

T here is an ongoing issue with flight updates at multiple airports in Mexico. There is no new information to share regarding the situation. The airports include: General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport in Tijuana (TIJ), Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport in Guadalajara (GDL), Lic. Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City.

Delays and flight cancellations continue to impact the following airports and multiple travelers: General Abelardo Rodriguez International Airport in Tijuana (TIJ) 32 flight delays and 44 flight cancellations, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) 43 flight delays and 8 flight cancellations, Lic. Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City (MEX) 43 flight delays along with 4 flight cancellations. All travelers and staff at the airports are in an unpredicted situation with no expected time to the current situation changing.

Table Overview

Affected Airports and Airlines

These airport delays and cancellations have affected several airlines operating across Mexico and internationally. Airlines such as Aeromexico, Volaris, and Interjet, which operate many flights within Mexico and to international destinations, are among the most affected. Passengers hoping to travel to or from these cities have faced significant setbacks as they contend with rescheduling flights, long waits, and sometimes cancelled trips altogether.

Notably, the air traffic disruptions have occurred at major transport hubs, which not only handle domestic traffic but also international flights connecting Mexico to cities in the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Given the size and volume of passengers traveling through these airports, the ripple effects are likely to continue throughout the day.

Passengers Affected

The number of passengers impacted by the delays and cancellations is substantial. With 43 delayed flights at Lic. Benito Juarez International, 43 at Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and 32 at General Abelardo L. Rodriguez, it is safe to assume that thousands of travelers have been affected, with some likely facing additional complications like missed connections and flight rerouting.

For passengers, the uncertainty of not knowing when or if their flight will take off is a stressful situation. Families traveling for vacations, business professionals attending meetings, and holidaymakers all find themselves in a difficult position as their travel plans are thrown into disarray. The airport staff has been working tirelessly to manage the crowds, but the reality is that long wait times, missed flights, and limited rebooking options have become the norm for today’s travelers.

For many passengers, the emotional toll and inconvenience of flight disruptions are considerable. Some travelers will have to wait for new flight arrangements to be made, which may extend their stay at the airport for several hours. Others may be faced with entirely new travel itineraries that do not align with their original plans, further complicating their trip.

Impact on Tourism

Beyond the personal inconveniences to travelers, these flight delays and cancellations have broader implications for tourism in Mexico. Tourism plays a crucial role in Mexico’s economy, and major international airports like Lic. Benito Juarez, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and General Abelardo L. Rodriguez are primary gateways for millions of international tourists. When these airports experience delays or cancellations, it can result in a sharp drop in tourist arrivals, which has a direct impact on local businesses, the hospitality industry, and services that rely on a constant flow of international travelers.

The disruption comes at a time when Mexico’s tourism industry is striving to recover from previous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Although tourist traffic had been increasing, such delays may cause temporary setbacks, affecting hotel bookings, sightseeing tours, and other local tourism-related businesses. Some tourists, especially those on tight schedules or guided tours, may be forced to cancel or significantly alter their plans.

Airports, airlines, and the tourism industry in Mexico rely on smooth, predictable travel schedules to maintain steady visitor flow. Uncertainty caused by sudden disruptions like these could lead potential tourists to choose other destinations with more reliable flight services, thus hampering Mexico’s efforts to attract and retain international visitors.

The Bigger Picture: Why Delays and Cancellations Matter

While flight disruptions are a common occurrence in the global aviation industry, the sheer scale of the delays at these major airports raises questions about the underlying causes. In the case of these three airports, weather conditions, air traffic control issues, or technical difficulties with airlines may be contributing factors. However, it is essential for airports and airlines to ensure that passenger communication is clear and frequent, so travelers are not left in the dark.

Delays and cancellations are not only logistical challenges; they are a reflection of the complex interdependencies within the travel ecosystem. A delay in one airport can have cascading effects on other airports, airlines, and even national economies. It also highlights the importance of having contingency plans in place for when travel disruptions occur.

Conclusion: Preparing for Future Disruptions

Today, we experience in the Abelardo L. Rodriguez, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, and Lic. Benito Juarez airports the delays and cancellations of flights that show the need for proactive management in the aviation world. There is a need for collaboration between passengers, airlines, and airports so that breakdowns in the system can be managed smoothly. With the continued determination to enhancing the control of the flow of air traffic, Mexico airports and airlines will be able to lessen the effects of delays and cancellations.

Travelers now need to practice patience. With the state of the world recovering from the pandemic, the air travel world needs to prepare themselves for the type of disruptions we experienced during the pandemic. Mexico’s airports and airlines need to work together to solve the current disruptions so that the world can see Mexico as a top destination for leisure and business travel.