In early August 2025, severe weather in Mexico City triggered widespread flight disruptions across the country, including at Mérida International Airport. On Sunday, August 10, torrential rains overwhelmed Mexico City’s infrastructure, flooding streets, homes, and even the historic Zócalo. The downpour—recorded as the most intense of the season—prompted authorities to activate the city’s highest rainfall alert level, the “purple alert”.
Benito Juárez International Airport, one of Latin America’s busiest hubs, suspended all takeoffs and landings for approximately four hours starting at 7:45 p.m. due to poor visibility and waterlogged runways. This shutdown affected over 100 flights and nearly 15,000 passengers. As a result, flights scheduled to connect through or arrive in Mexico City were either canceled or rerouted to alternate destinations such as Cancún, Guadalajara, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Mérida Airport, which relies on Mexico City for many domestic and international connections, experienced cascading delays and cancellations. Passengers in Mérida faced long wait times and sudden itinerary changes, with some flights grounded and others redirected to avoid the chaos in the capital.
Airlines advised travelers to stay in close contact for updates, as operations gradually resumed overnight. Cleanup efforts in Mexico City continued into Monday, August 11, with federal support pledged to assist affected areas.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of air travel to extreme weather events and the importance of contingency planning for both airports and passengers. As climate patterns shift, such disruptions may become more frequent, demanding greater resilience across transportation networks.
Source: yucatan.com.mx
