Passengers on an Aeromexico flight today got caught up in cartel violence, and had to duck for cover as their plane was shot at. Ugh…
In this post:
Arrest of El Chapo’s son leads to violence in Sinaloa
Earlier today, Mexican drug lord Ovidio Guzmán, son of jailed kingpin “El Chapo” Guzmán, was arrested by Mexican authorities. This is causing some violent scenes throughout the western Mexican province of Sinaloa, as the cartel takes revenge.
We’ve seen all kinds of targeted attacks, ranging from arson, to doctors and nurses being kidnapped, to Mexican military helicopters being shot at, to roadblocks being set up. The scenes are simply horrific, and there’s no end in sight for the violence, as the cartel tries to recapture Guzmán.
This situation is even impacting commercial aviation…
Aeromexico flight attacked by cartel
Passengers at Culiacán Airport (CUL) in Sinaloa got caught up in the violence earlier today. Aeromexico flight AM165, which was scheduled to fly from Culiacán to Mexico City, was impacted by this the worst. This flight was scheduled to depart at 8:24AM for the 651-mile journey to Mexico’s capital. The flight was operated by a 15-year-old Embraer E190 with the registration code XA-ALW.
Based on the footage, it appears that the cartel fired at this plane while it was taxiing to the runway on departure. There’s video footage both from outside the aircraft, and also from within the cabin, where passengers are told to duck for cover.
The flight ended up being canceled. While that’s of course logical in terms of safety, I’m sure passengers weren’t too happy about not being able to leave the region, given all that’s going on.
There are pictures on social media showing bullet holes in the jet.
The airport will remain closed for the remainder of the day — it’s anyone’s guess when it will reopen.
Bottom line
It’s awful to see the violence in Sinaloa right now. On the one hand, I respect the government for trying to tackle Mexico’s drug problems. On the other hand, one has to wonder if the Mexican government is equipped to really take on a cartel this powerful.
As it impacts aviation, we’ve seen the cartel target one of the main airports in the region, including firing at an Aeromexico plane. The flight was taxiing out as it was shot at, and was subsequently canceled. While it’s logical that the flight was canceled, I imagine passengers must be scared to still be stuck in the region.
What do you make of this Aeromexico gunfire situation?
Why do you only post about the negative aspects of Mexican aviation? So much good has happened in Mexico and you never talk about it but talk about similar stuff happening in other countries. Here’s a few things you could have talked about instead of just focusing on the negatives. Aeromexico flying from secondary cities to Madrid and from Cancun to sao Paulo in an effort to decentralize Mexico City. Also Aeromexico adding Rome to...
Why do you only post about the negative aspects of Mexican aviation? So much good has happened in Mexico and you never talk about it but talk about similar stuff happening in other countries. Here’s a few things you could have talked about instead of just focusing on the negatives. Aeromexico flying from secondary cities to Madrid and from Cancun to sao Paulo in an effort to decentralize Mexico City. Also Aeromexico adding Rome to its route net worth. Or volaris carrying more than 31 million passengers in 2022 making it the busiest airline in all of Latin America by passenger numbers. Or Mexico ending with more than 100 million passengers in 2022, or the Mexican government attempt to buy and reactivate the mexicana airlines brand. Or Aeromexico restring Mexico-Tokyo flights later this year. So much good is going on in Mexico and you only fear monger with the bad stuff that’s few and far between but you make it seem like it’s the only stuff that goes on.
Seriously???? A passenger plane full of people was fired on by a drug cartel in the middle of a modern city and you are worried about Mexicos image? Wow, just wow.
Problem is Mexico doesn't have 2nd amendment. If all the passengers and flight attendants had guns, they would be able to shoot back at the cartel and wouldn't need to duck. Flight would have been able to operate normally.
Passengers and FA’s aren’t allowed to carry guns on planes under the 2A
@Bernardo Ng
You don't get it. @Mark is suggesting that TSA and the federal government is taking away our 2nd amendment rights. Had @Mark carried his emotional support AR-15, he would have taken out the cartel.
And as always, NRA zealots always forget that just like you firing back to the shooter, you become a shooter threat to them too. So you also become a priority target and put everyone else on the plane at...
@Bernardo Ng
You don't get it. @Mark is suggesting that TSA and the federal government is taking away our 2nd amendment rights. Had @Mark carried his emotional support AR-15, he would have taken out the cartel.
And as always, NRA zealots always forget that just like you firing back to the shooter, you become a shooter threat to them too. So you also become a priority target and put everyone else on the plane at a higher risk.
People still think their AR-15 can defeat tyranny?
Doesn't look like a well regulated Militia in Ukraine can't do much against Russia without all the Western weapons to beg for.
And that's just against Russia, not the mighty US military which is even more advance.
Can't see how any AR-15 can go up against a tyrant UAV with precision Hellfire missiles. And we haven't reached MOAB yet.
You're gonna need more than a rifle for security of a free State.
Maybe it's time 2nd Amendment lobbyist give us some precision guided missiles to go deer hunting?
As someone who was born and raised in Culiacan and still travels there frequently, I'm not shocked at all by the state of the chaos during for the arrest, this is par for the course anytime a high profile cartel member gets arrested. I'm however surprised about the targeting of a commercial aircraft, I wonder if it got caught in the middle of a confrontation. Generally, the cartel doesn't target civilians on purpose.
To...
As someone who was born and raised in Culiacan and still travels there frequently, I'm not shocked at all by the state of the chaos during for the arrest, this is par for the course anytime a high profile cartel member gets arrested. I'm however surprised about the targeting of a commercial aircraft, I wonder if it got caught in the middle of a confrontation. Generally, the cartel doesn't target civilians on purpose.
To those ignorant comments about not visiting Mexico due to this chaos, it's not like the "State" of Sinaloa is a popular gringo tourist spot. You'll be fine if you stick with the usual tourist destinations. It would be the equivalent of a European/Asian tourist cancelling his plans to visit New York or LA due to the Sandy Hook shooting. As someone who frequents the whole United States of America and Mexico, I'm still more concerned getting shot in America by a random deranged individual than being targeted by the cartel in Mexico.
If you watch the second video, the Sicario with a 50 cal is very clearly tracking and firing at the plane. Doesn't seem like accidental crossfire
That reminds me of the ElAl 432 attack which took place during taxiing at ZRH in 1969 (not that I have personal memories). The Zurich State Police consequently purchased a small tank and accompanies all ElAl flights during taxiing, as well as some other flights at risk. The tank has been replaced about 10 years ago by a more recent model, but the procedure remains the same.
The ElAl escort tank also happens at MUC and FRA (and presumably a couple other outstations)
Meanwhile in America gunmen randomly shoot innocent children in their schools. We are not so pure to judge. As wrong as both may be.
Trying to equate the two scenarios is pathetic hackery. Be better.
Bringing down a full E190 would be like 6-7 Sandy Hooks or Uvaldes.
Except that didn't happen. And Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde did.
Sinaloa is a state, not a province. Official name of Mexico is "Estados Unidos Mexicanos" - United Mexican States
I can't imagine where you would 'duck for cover' when you are sitting in a cylindrical metal tube on a runway.
AeroMexico planes are clearly not armour-plated for safety; might be a genuine world-leading 'enhancement' if they were.
I wonder where the guns are coming from? Mexico does not have gun manufacturers capable of producing high-powered weapons (if any weapons at all). Just wondering ...
Are you suggesting that if drugs were legalised and the industry was run by Fortune 500 companies instead of cartels, and if guns were illegal instead, that there would be significantly less public shootings involving cartels? Hmmm
The come from weapon dealers like the one Biden admin release some days ago... :(
It's so scary to travel to that country México ! Shooting a passengers Airlines is horrendous ! I rather travel to Hawaii or Europe. Chris
Good then travel to Hawaii or Europe
"Duck for cover"? Would a fuselage stop a bullet? Unfortunately violence in Mexico continues to increase.
Might be mistaken but I think it's to avoid being targeted through the window
Mexico does not have any PROVINCES, just like the northern neighbor they have STARES. The official name is UNITED MEXICAN STATES.
Germany also has states.
Good report !
Bad Hombres
I'm sure that a BIG BEAUTIFUL WALL around the airport would've prevented this...
We should ban flights from Mexico. Stray bullets lodged on airplanes may fall and kill Americans.
You mean how a delta airlines plane dumped fuel over an elementary school in Los Angeles? Or how a loose strip of metal feel of a continental airlines plane in Paris killing 100 passengers on board a Concorde that followed taking off? Also Mexican planes are always being checked on and don’t just carry stray ballets on their bodies.
I can't wait to spend my money vacationing in Mexico.
Aeromexico stole miles from me during COVID. I feel bad for the innocent passengers but Aeromexico is the lowest !!
Are you serious? A plane full of passengers is subject to gunfire and you bring in f*ckin miles into this to discredit AM? You are an absolute tosser.
Relax no one got hurt. My point was to bring up what a bunch of thieves
Aeromexico are. They steal with no thought. They are the worst of the worst and should be out of business.
They did go bankrupt for a reason …
Someone could have been injured/killed.
So you chose this event to inject yourself into the scene (mistake 1) and cry about points (mistake 2). Points?! In a life/death situation. You cry about your POINTS??!! Nobody could accuse you of being classy.
How would you feel if you were one of the passengers on that plane? Guaranteed you wouldn’t be talking like that.
I would be on any Aeromexico flight after they stole miles from me so I’m safe. They are the worst of the worst.
Didn't ask + don't care. No criteria = irrelevant opinion