Airlines Cancel Mexico Flights Amid Jalisco Cartel Violence

Major airlines have canceled flights and issued travel waivers for key tourist destinations in western Mexico following widespread violence. The disruption impacts Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) and Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) after a military operation on Sunday, 22 February, resulted in the death of a senior drug cartel leader.

The operational fallout has been significant for international travelers, with airlines suspending services due to security concerns on the ground. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert advising American citizens in several regions, including the state of Jalisco, to shelter in place. This advisory directly impacted airline operations and ground transportation, creating uncertainty for passengers and crews.

Widespread Flight Cancellations

According to Mexico's Defence Ministry, Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed during an operation on Sunday. In response, organized crime groups reportedly set buses on fire, blocked roads, and clashed with military forces in Jalisco.

While officials at PVR stated that airport operations and safety were not directly impacted, the U.S. Embassy noted that roadblocks had severely affected airline logistics. Flight tracking data from Monday afternoon showed 74 cancellations at PVR and 65 cancellations at GDL. The airports remain under the protection of Mexico's Guardia Nacional (GN), or National Guard, and the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the Secretariat of National Defense.

Airline Responses and Travel Waivers

Carriers across North America have adjusted their schedules and offered flexibility to affected passengers. This response is a standard industry practice during periods of civil unrest to ensure the safety of customers and employees when ground access to airports is compromised.

• Air Canada canceled all service to and from Puerto Vallarta on 23 February, citing the ongoing security situation and the local shelter-in-place order.
• Aeromexico canceled and delayed flights to both PVR and GDL, issuing a travel waiver for customers booked through 23 February to rebook for later dates without charge.
• American Airlines canceled its operations in PVR and implemented a reduced schedule at GDL through 23 February. The airline issued a waiver for passengers traveling through 24 February, allowing fee-free rebooking.
• Delta Air Lines canceled four flights on 23 February connecting PVR with its hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Delta's waiver allows passengers booked through 26 February to change their flights.
• Southwest Airlines suspended all flights to Puerto Vallarta on 23 February due to the "uncertainty on the ground." The carrier stated it would resume operations once it is safe and is allowing customers scheduled to travel through 25 February to delay flights for up to 14 days.
• United Airlines confirmed its operations to both cities had resumed but that a travel waiver remains active to provide customers with flexible options.

U.S. Government Advisories

The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico issued a security alert for Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, as well as several other tourist areas including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. The advisory urged U.S. citizens to avoid crowds, minimize movement, and monitor local media.

The Department of State is providing assistance and encourages travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This free service allows U.S. citizens to register their travel plans with the nearest embassy or consulate to receive safety alerts and be located more easily in an emergency.

Why This Matters

This incident highlights the vulnerability of airline operations and tourism to regional security events. For airlines, the immediate financial impact comes from canceled flights and lost revenue, but the larger concern is passenger confidence. Such high-profile violence, even if localized, can lead to a prolonged downturn in travel demand for an entire region, affecting route profitability and network planning for months. It underscores the critical need for carriers to have robust contingency plans for sudden geopolitical or security-related disruptions.

flying.flights provides comprehensive commercial aviation news covering airlines, aircraft, and airports. From aircraft production to supply chains, commercial aviation manufacturing news is covered at flying.flights/manufacturing.