Guadalajara-Fresno Flights Canceled After Violence Following Reported Cartel Leader Death

Aeroméxico and Volaris temporarily canceled two arrivals from Guadalajara and two departures to Guadalajara at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) on Sunday, Feb. 22, and one inbound Guadalajara flight was delayed, which delayed its return departure, FAT officials said. The disruptions followed violent clashes in Mexico after reports that Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, had been killed, prompting U.S. shelter-in-place advisories for Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

FAT officials urged affected travelers to keep in touch with their carriers. “Passengers with scheduled flights to Mexico are encouraged to stay in contact with their airline for the latest flight information,” FAT officials told local media. FAT also reported that early-morning services between Fresno and Morelia on Monday, Feb. 23, operated as scheduled and that, as of Monday afternoon, the airport had not been notified of additional Guadalajara or other international cancellations for Monday night.

The Fresno service interruptions were part of a wider wave of airline suspensions. American Airlines canceled all flights on Feb. 22 to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara and issued a travel alert allowing rebooking without change or cancellation fees. United issued a travel alert covering Feb. 22–25 and is permitting travel changes through March 4 without penalty. Southwest canceled four Puerto Vallarta flights on Feb. 22 and warned disruptions may continue through Feb. 25. Alaska Airlines said it canceled 24 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo and is working to reaccommodate guests: “Due to the civil unrest near Mexican airports today, we have canceled 24 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo. We’re working with our guests to reaccommodate them on new flights as quickly as possible, as we closely monitor the developing situation in Mexico.”

Flights at major U.S. gateways were hit hard. FlightAware data cited by multiple outlets showed 128 cancellations at LAX as of 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 and 86 cancellations at SFO on Monday, Feb. 23, including canceled incoming flights from Boston Logan, JFK and Newark. At Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, reports and airport videos described chaotic scenes: “Paranoia set in for many travelers, with reports and videos of people running and scrambling in airport terminals. Videos have also been shared of a large group of people who were escorted by uniformed airport employees across the tarmac at PVR,” one aviation report said. Travelers at LAX expressed uncertainty about continuing travel plans; Jolene Leon told reporters, “Doesn't look like we're going to be arriving there today, or maybe just not going at all. We're still deciding whether it's even a good idea to go there at all.”

The disruption stems from security operations and roadblocks that accompanied reports of the death of El Mencho, a top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel who U.S. authorities had listed among the most wanted and had placed a $15,000,000 bounty on. The U.S. State Department and U.S. Embassy consular posts warned citizens in affected Mexican cities to shelter in place and noted that flights to destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara were expected to be canceled.

For Fresno travelers, the immediate practical steps remain carrier-dependent: FAT advised staying in direct contact with airlines and monitoring carrier apps and alerts; several major carriers are offering fee-free rebookings or extended change windows while they continue to monitor conditions and adjust schedules. As airlines and Mexican authorities update operations, FAT’s Monday-afternoon status held that no further Guadalajara cancellations had been reported for Monday night.