Southwest, United among airlines canceling flights to regions in Mexico affected by cartel violence
Southwest and United Airlines canceled flights to Mexican states after cartel leader El Mencho's death sparked violent reprisals and security alerts affecting key travel hubs.
- On Sunday, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines canceled flights to Mexico as Puerto Vallarta International Airport suspended all international and most domestic flights.
- The Mexican Army conducted an operation that wounded, captured, and killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', sparking retaliatory violence with burned vehicles and roadblocks.
- FlightAware data show 137 cancellations to Puerto Vallarta, 90 to Guadalajara, and at least 237 total canceled flights including Manzanillo and Tepic within 24 hours.
- The U.S. Embassy and Department of State urged U.S. citizens to shelter in place, while airlines set waivers and rebooking options for Feb. 22-24 travelers, with American and Southwest offering flexibility.
- Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria said her family are among those caught in the turmoil, and Southwest plans to send aircraft to repatriate passengers once the situation returns to normal.
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Hundreds of flights to and from Mexico canceled following death of cartel leader 'El Mencho'
Many airlines halted operations and issued travel waivers after Sunday’s violent events following a military operation that led to the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, Mexico’s most wanted cartel leader. At least 237 flights have reportedly been canceled to and from the airports of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Manzanillo, Colima; and Tepic, Nayarit. These cities saw security operations, road blockades and violent cl…
Mexico News LIVE Updates: Several airlines suspend flights in Mexico amid increasing violence
Mexico Drug Cartel Leader ‘El Mencho’ Killed LIVE Updates: The US embassy said in its advisory that while no airports have been closed, roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights cancelled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
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