MAPPED: Mexico cartel violence forced dozens of flights to divert, including a pair of private jets
Business Insider
February 23, 2026
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Cartel violence in Mexico has caused significant disruption to air travel, with nearly 40 flights diverted on Sunday alone. The majority of these flights, numbering 30, were heading to Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort town on the Pacific Coast frequented by American and Canadian tourists. Additionally, nine flights were bound for Guadalajara, including an Aeromexico flight from Madrid that ended up landing in Monterey after nearly 11 hours in the air. While no airports were closed, roadblocks caused widespread cancellations, with approximately 370 flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara affected over the weekend.
The disruptions included a unique occurrence known as "flights to nowhere," where aircraft turned around mid-air and returned to their origin. For instance, two WestJet flights from Calgary to Puerto Vallarta took off just 30 minutes apart but both U-turned around 11 a.m. ET. One flight returned to Alberta almost five hours after takeoff, while another remained airborne for an additional hour. Two private jets also faced similar fates: a midsize Embraer Praetor 500 jet from Austin and a Dassault Falcon 2000 owned by a fruit-and-vegetable wholesaler from Chicago were both forced to divert to alternative destinations before returning to their starting points.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico reported that roadblocks led to cancellations, while the U.S. and Canada advised citizens to shelter in place. Although no airports were closed, the situation has created significant challenges for travelers and airlines alike. With thousands of passengers redirected or delayed, the incident highlights the risks posed by cartel violence to international travel and tourism. The broader implications for business include increased costs for airlines due to diversions, cancellations, and potential reputational damage, as well as disruptions to the leisure and hospitality industries in popular tourist destinations like Puerto Vall
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/23/2026