Operations at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport were suspended for several hours on Sunday after intense rainfall flooded parts of the capital and significantly reduced visibility, airport authorities confirmed.
“Due to the heavy rainfall this afternoon and reports of low visibility, landing and takeoff operations have been suspended for the next three hours,” read a statement posted on the airport’s official X (formerly Twitter) account shortly before 9:00 p.m. local time (0300 GMT).
The suspension was ordered by aviation authorities to allow crews time to drain floodwaters and restore safe operational conditions.
Benito Juárez International, one of two international airports in Mexico City, is one of the busiest in Latin America, having served 45.4 million passengers in 2024.
Sunday’s storm also inundated major roads across the city, with water levels reaching up to 50 centimeters (about 19 inches) in some areas.
In response, the city government issued a purple alert the highest weather warning level for central districts of the capital, home to more than nine million residents.
Severe weather events are common in Mexico during the storm season, which typically spans from May to November.
In June, Hurricane Erick struck southern Mexico, battering coastal areas and resulting in two deaths.
Last year, Hurricane Otis a devastating Category 5 storm tore through Acapulco in October, leaving dozens dead and widespread destruction in its wake.
Similarly, Hurricane John, a Category 3 storm in September 2023, claimed approximately 15 lives.
Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions and advise residents and travelers to remain alert for further updates.
