AICM and AIFA closed operations due to Popocatépetl’s volcanic ash

Mexico City. The Mexico City International Airport informed that due to the presence of volcanic ash the airport closed operations as of 4:25 a.m.

Later on its Twitter account, the air terminal said that for safety of operations the airport closure will be extended for approximately two more hours and that AICM personnel and airlines are carrying out the review and cleaning of runways and taxiways.

This caused delays in operations at the country’s most important airport. According to the flight tracking portal FlightAware, so far it recorded that more than 500 operations at this terminal suffered delays: 173 from Aeromexico, 103 from Aeromexico Connect, 52 from Vivaerobus and 103 from Volaris, Vivaaerobus 62 to mention a few. It also counted 54 cancellations.

Airport records show that this Saturday 841 air operations were scheduled, of which 422 were arrivals and 419 departures.

On social networks, several passengers reported that their flights were diverted to alternate airports in the country.

From 11:00 p.m. until the early hours of the morning, the Popocatepetl volcano was very active, releasing ash and gases.
Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), in the State of Mexico, also announced that due to the presence of volcanic ash, the airport closed operations as of 05:58 hours and that measures were taken to clean the runways and resume operations.

TYT Newsroom