At least two planes, including an Aeromexico Embraer E190 operating a commercial flight with passengers onboard, were shot at while on the runway of Culiacan International Airport (CUL) in Mexico. The shots were fired by people linked to the Sinaloa Cartel following the arrest of local drug lord Ovidio Guzmán, son of ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, on Thursday.
Chaos in Sinaloa
Ovidio Guzmán, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, was captured on Thursday by forces of the Mexican Army and transported to Mexico City. This has led to chaos across the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The government has requested people remain in their homes. A least three airports, Culiacán International, Mazatlán International (MZT), and Los Mochis International (LMM), have closed until further notice.
Members of the Sinaloa drug cartel shot live ammunition against at least two planes, a Boeing 737-800 registration FAM-3526 operated by the Mexican Air Force and an Embraer E190 registration XA-ALW operated by Aeromexico Connect.
The Mexican Air Force's Boeing 737-800 was landing at the Culiacan International Airport earlier this morning when it was shot at, according to several videos posted on social media. Meanwhile, Aeromexico’s Embraer E190 aircraft was scheduled to operate flight AM165 to Mexico City.
Aeromexico’s flight was canceled
In a video taken onboard Aeromexico’s flight AM165, passengers can be seen crouching on the floor of the cabin as shots are heard in the distance. Aeromexico said in a statement,
“This morning, we detected a bullet hole in the fuselage of an Embraer E190 aircraft that was ready to operate the flight AM165 on the route Culiacán-Mexico City. The flight was canceled for safety reasons.
The plane never began its departure. After this incident, all safety protocols were activated, we informed the authorities, with whom we will coordinate the investigations. The clients and employees are safe.”
Three airports are closed
Three Sinaloan airports, Culiacan, Mazatlan, and Los Mochis, are currently closed. According to data by Cirium, these three airports have around 44 daily flights on average on Thursdays, operated by several airlines, including Aéreo Calafia, American Airlines, Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris. Other carriers that operate in these airports on other days include United Airlines, Sun Country, Sunwing, Swoop, and WestJet.
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Volaris released a statement,
“Volaris informs that, due to the closure of the Culiacan, Mazatlán, and Los Mochis airports, our flights to and from these destinations, are currently canceled. The activity suspension could lead to several delays and cancelations throughout our route network.”
Viva Aerobus added,
“In view of the blockades and events reported today in the cities of Culiacan and Mazatlan, for the safety of users and personnel involved in the operation, the competent authorities have decided to close both airports temporarily. We will be sharing updates on these closures, as well as the effects on our flights.”
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