Published on
January 25, 2026
Hundreds of Travellers now face unexpected hurdles as major flight disruptions sweep through Mexico. Significant operational challenges have struck both Mexico City and Cancún, leaving many passengers searching for answers. American Airlines currently reports the highest number of cancellations among international carriers. Meanwhile, domestic giants like AeroMéxico and Volaris are struggling to maintain their schedules amidst mounting delays. These 45 flight cancellations and 199 delays have turned quiet terminals into crowded spaces. Travellers are navigating a sea of rescheduled departures and missed connections. The impact is particularly heavy at the capital’s main hub and the coastal gateway of Cancún. Aviation experts are monitoring the situation closely as airlines work to clear the backlog. Consequently, passengers must stay alert for real-time updates.
The logistical challenges are centered primarily within two critical geographical points in Mexico. At Lic. Benito Juarez International Airport, which serves as the primary aeronautical artery for Mexico City, a total of 25 cancellations and 43 delays have been recorded. Being a high-altitude hub with some of the highest traffic volumes in Latin America, the ripple effects of these 68 combined incidents are felt throughout the domestic network.
Simultaneously, the situation at Cancún International Airport has been described as notably more severe in terms of volume. While 20 cancellations were reported—slightly fewer than in the capital—the number of delayed flights has reached a staggering 156. Because Cancún serves as the primary entry point for international tourists, the high volume of delays might mean significant congestion within the terminal buildings. When the data from both Mexico City and the coastal hub are aggregated, the scale of the disruption becomes clear, involving nearly 250 affected flights in a single calendar day.
The disruptions have been distributed across a wide array of domestic and international carriers, with some airlines bearing a heavier operational burden than others.
In Mexico City, American Airlines has reported 7 cancellations and 2 delays, while Aeroméxico Connect followed closely with 6 cancellations and 4 delays. Volaris, a major low-cost carrier, also faced 6 cancellations alongside 7 delays. The mainline AeroMéxico operations saw 2 cancellations but recorded a substantial 15 delays, indicating a significant slowdown in their turnaround times. Additionally, VivaAerobus and Air Canada both reported 2 cancellations each at this location.
At the Cancún terminal, the impact on international carriers is even more pronounced. American Airlines has been hit hardest at this location, with 14 cancellations and 29 delays documented today. Delta Air Lines and Spirit each reported 2 cancellations, with Delta seeing 20 delays and Spirit seeing 7. Regional and seasonal service was also affected, as evidenced by Air Canada Rouge (ACA) recording 1 cancellation and 1 delay. Even the flagship carrier, AeroMéxico, was not immune at this coastal site, with 1 cancellation and 3 delays added to its daily total.
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The concentration of these flight irregularities in Mexico’s primary tourism and business centers suggests a significant impact on local sectors. In Mexico City, the disruption of nearly 70 flights means that business conferences, government proceedings and urban tourism itineraries are likely being postponed or reorganized. As the political and economic heart of the country, any delay in the capital’s main airport often results in a temporary cooling of local commercial activity.
In Cancún, the impact is arguably more visible within the hospitality sector. With 156 delays and 20 cancellations, the seamless flow of travellers to the “Zona Hotelera” and the surrounding Riviera Maya has been interrupted. Transport transfers, hotel check-in schedules and pre-booked excursions are inevitably affected when such a high volume of arrivals and departures are shifted out of their original slots. The sheer number of affected passengers in Cancún suggests that local amenities, from airport lounges to terminal restaurants, are likely operating at maximum capacity as travellers wait for updated departure times.
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For those currently caught in the disruptions across Mexico, several professional protocols are recommended to mitigate the inconvenience. Passengers at both Mexico City and Cancún are advised to monitor their flight status via official airline mobile applications or website portals before heading to the airport. Since the data confirms that carriers like American Airlines, Volaris and AeroMéxico are actively managing high volumes of affected customers, patience is encouraged when engaging with ground staff.
If a flight has been officially cancelled, travellers are typically entitled to be rebooked on the next available flight or to request a refund, depending on the specific terms of the contract of carriage. For those experiencing the 199 documented delays, it is suggested that vouchers for food and refreshments be requested if the delay exceeds certain hourly thresholds, as per standard aviation consumer protection guidelines. Documentation of all communication with airline representatives should be maintained for potential future insurance claims.
As the situation continues to evolve, the primary focus for authorities in Mexico City and Cancún remains the safe and efficient restoration of the flight schedule. Until the backlog of the 45 cancelled flights and nearly 200 delays is cleared, the aviation sector in Mexico will remain in a state of high alert, with professionals working around the clock to ensure that the hundreds of stranded travellers can eventually reach their final destinations.
-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.


