Mexico City's International Airport (AICM) temporarily suspended operations for three hours on the night of August 10, 2025, leading to the diversion of approximately 70 inbound flights. The significant disruption was a direct result of intense rainfall in the capital, which necessitated the airport's closure to facilitate water drainage from the runways.
The airport announced the suspension around 8:53 PM local time, advising passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information. The unexpected halt in operations caused widespread delays and reroutings, impacting thousands of travelers. Several airlines, including Volaris, reported cancellations and diversions at both AICM and AIFA due to the severe weather conditions.
The situation quickly garnered attention on real-time flight tracking platforms. Flightradar24, a popular service for monitoring air traffic, confirmed the extensive diversions, illustrating the immediate and broad impact on flights destined for AICM. The airport's unusual activity made it a trending topic on the platform. User 'beco' commented on the unexpected surge in interest, stating, > "Yo en la pendeja viendo el AICM en @flightradar24 por un tema mío, y resulta que es tendencia 🤦♂️" reflecting the public's observation of the unfolding events.
This incident follows other recent challenges for AICM, one of Latin America's busiest air hubs. In late July 2025, the airport also drew significant media attention after reports of a near-collision between two aircraft on a runway, an event that was also widely tracked and analyzed via Flightradar24 data. Such occurrences highlight the critical role of real-time flight tracking in public awareness during aviation incidents.
Following the three-hour operational pause, AICM resumed its activities, working to manage the backlog of diverted and delayed flights. Airport authorities prioritized clearing accumulated rainwater to ensure the safety of subsequent takeoffs and landings. The swift response aimed to mitigate prolonged disruptions for passengers and airlines navigating the aftermath of the severe weather.