(MEXICO CITY) AeroMexico is canceling and rerouting flights after severe rainfall flooded Mexico City International Airport (AICM, Benito Juárez) over the weekend, disrupting operations on August 10–11, 2025. The airline has activated a limited weather waiver to help passengers rebook within a tight window.
Industry reports say “dozens” of Aeroméxico flights were canceled, with ripple effects across routes touching Vancouver, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other North American cities.
What’s happening at the airport
Flooding at Mexico City International Airport (AICM, Benito Juárez) forced widespread operational changes over the weekend.
More than 70 flights diverted and about 90 were canceled across carriers during the same period. Some diversions had to return to their origin when landing wasn’t possible.
These figures indicate serious strain on gates, ground staff, and crew schedules, which can persist even after storms pass.
Nationwide, airlines reported more than 60 cancellations and many delays at major airports, including Cancún and Los Cabos. This underscores that the disruption is weather‑driven and system‑wide, not limited to a single carrier.
AeroMexico’s weather waiver: key facts
Aeroméxico’s waiver covers passengers whose travel fell on August 10–11, 2025.
- Change/reissue permitted through: August 15, 2025
- Rebooked travel must be completed by: August 15, 2025
- Practical effect: You can move your trip within this short period without standard change penalties. Seat availability depends on alternate flights. The notice does not list broader route changes or fare rule exceptions; those often vary by fare class.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the limited rebooking window is manageable for short trips but challenging for travelers who must delay beyond August 15. Those passengers may face normal fare differences or fees unless the waiver is expanded.
Routes most affected and the North America picture
As Mexico’s flag carrier, Aeroméxico relies heavily on AICM as a hub. When the hub slows, the network strains and knock‑on effects appear across routes.
- Trade press notes “dozens” of cancellations, including flights to and from Vancouver (🇨🇦), Miami (🇺🇸), Houston (🇺🇸), Chicago (🇺🇸), and Los Angeles (🇺🇸).
- Crews and aircraft falling out of position can cause schedule changes the day after, even when skies clear.
Weather in parts of the U.S. Midwest, Northeast, and Florida this week could add more delays into hubs like Chicago and Miami, increasing the risk of rolling changes on transborder flights while the airline regroups.
If your flight is affected: step‑by‑step
1) Check your status often
– Use the airline’s flight status and Manage Your Trip tools before leaving for the airport and refresh every few hours. Expect rolling updates.
2) Confirm waiver eligibility
– You qualify if your original travel dates were Aug 10–11, 2025.
3) Rebook as soon as possible
– Change or reissue by: Aug 15, 2025
– Complete rebooked travel by: Aug 15, 2025
– Pick earlier flights or nearby airports when possible — seats are tight after mass cancellations.
4) Traveling after Aug 15?
– Call Aeroméxico to ask about a waiver extension or goodwill options. If no extension is available, normal fare rules may apply.
5) Protect your connections
– If you hold separate tickets (for example, a domestic connection in the United States or Canada), contact the other airline and ask for protection or same‑day changes under their rules.
6) Save your proof
– Keep screenshots and emails showing cancellations or delays. These help with travel insurance or credit card trip interruption claims.
What travelers should expect next
- Rolling adjustments: With 70+ diversions and ~90 cancellations at AICM, crews and planes need time to reset. Expect possible aircraft swaps and new departure times even after the weather clears.
- Multi‑airport effects: Diversions into other Mexican airports can crowd gates and push back departure times. Check status often if your trip touches Cancún, Los Cabos, or other busy fields.
- Recovery pace: Backlogs can take 24–72 hours to clear after a major weather event, depending on staffing, aircraft availability, and air traffic control spacing.
Stakeholders and current positions
- Aeroméxico: Working under a limited‑date waiver and reaccommodating travelers whose flights were canceled or heavily delayed on Aug 10–11, 2025.
- AICM operations: Flooding triggered diversions and cancellations, creating a network shuffle as planes and crews became out of place.
- Other airlines: Multiple Mexican airports and many carriers faced cancellations or delays from the same storm system, indicating a broad weather event rather than airline‑specific issues.
Voices and context
Industry reporting described “dozens” of Aeroméxico cancellations. Operational experts note that high diversion counts usually signal serious airfield or terminal constraints—such as flooded taxiways or saturated stands—that don’t vanish the moment rain stops. Crew duty‑time limits mean even small delays can force larger schedule resets.
Travelers experience this as short‑notice schedule changes and tighter seat maps. For families and workers on fixed dates, the Aug 15 cap can be difficult. If you’re in that group, request a documented “involuntary change” note from the airline — it can help with claims and in rebooking discussions if more seats open later.
Important: If you need documented proof for insurance or credit card claims, ask Aeroméxico for an “involuntary change” note and keep all correspondence.
A short example
María planned to fly Mexico City–Chicago on August 11 with a return on August 16. Her outbound was canceled. She rebooked to August 12 under the waiver, but seats back by August 15 weren’t available. María chose to fly to Houston on August 15 and connect by ground to Chicago to stay within the rules.
This flexible routing—earlier dates or nearby airports—often works best during mass disruptions.
What to watch in the coming days
- Waiver updates: Check the airline’s passenger notifications page for any extension beyond Aug 15, especially if more storms arrive or recovery runs behind.
- Airport status: Once water drains, operations can improve quickly, but backlogs may linger a day or two.
- U.S./Canada storms: Monitor Chicago and Miami for thunderstorm delays that could slow cross‑border recovery.
Official resources
- For government aviation updates relevant to Mexico, see the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC): https://www.gob.mx/afac
- Use your airline’s flight‑status tools and app chat for faster help when phone lines are busy. At the airport, ticket counters can also process same‑day changes—mention the Aug 10–11 weather waiver.
Bottom line for travelers
- Act fast: The waiver window ends Aug 15 for both reissues and completed travel.
- Stay flexible: Earlier flights and nearby airports raise your chances of getting a seat.
- Document everything: Keep records for insurance and credit card claims.
This flooding event shows how one airport’s crisis can echo across a region. With clear steps and quick rebooking, most passengers can still complete their trips, even within a tight window.
This Article in a Nutshell
Severe rainfall flooded Mexico City’s AICM on August 10–11, 2025, forcing Aeroméxico cancellations and diversions. The carrier issued a limited weather waiver allowing reissues and completed travel only through August 15, 2025. Travelers should rebook immediately, consider alternate airports, save documentation, and expect 24–72 hours for network recovery and rolling adjustments.
