Mexico Suspends Magnicharters Air Operator Certificate After Sudden Flight Cancellations

Mexico City — Mexican authorities suspended Magnicharters’ air operator certificate after the airline abruptly canceled all scheduled flights over the weekend, citing financial concerns that could pose operational safety risks.

The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) made the decision following Magnicharters’ unilateral suspension of operations on Saturday. The agency also identified a lack of financial capacity that could jeopardize operational safety.

Since January, AFAC conducted an administrative technical verification of Magnicharters under Article 84 of the Civil Aviation Law. The review revealed several findings highlighting the airline’s precarious financial situation.

“The verification clarified that they complied with all operational safety measures to continue flying,” the agency said in a statement. “However, they were asked to resolve observations regarding financial matters and demonstrate solutions.”

AFAC will give the company a deadline to present a plan addressing the identified issues to ensure compliance with necessary operating conditions. This represents the airline’s final opportunity.

“If they fail to demonstrate the required solvency, authorities will proceed with the definitive revocation of the air operator certificate concession title,” the agency emphasized. “This would mean the permanent cessation of their commercial operations.”

On Monday, Expansión published an article showing the airline’s passenger flow decreased by one-fifth over the last decade, dropping from transporting over one million annual travelers to around 200,000 in 2025. Several experts considered it “difficult” for the airline to resume flying.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) activated an emergency plan to support affected passengers in coordination with airlines, airport groups, and the Quintana Roo state government to ensure “their timely and safe transfer to their destinations of origin.”

The situation also reached the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco), which reported providing over 140 consultations since April 11, when the airline announced it would halt operations for two weeks.

So far, Magnicharters canceled 18 flights covering routes between Mexico City and Cancún, Monterrey and Cancún, Cancún and Monterrey, Cancún and Mexico City, Huatulco and Mexico City, Mexico City and Huatulco, Mérida and Mexico City, and Mexico City and Mérida.

Profeco added that since the first cancellations, agency personnel visited the airline’s counters to mediate but found no staff present.

“Visits were made to the tax addresses registered with Profeco in both Monterrey and Mexico City, finding closed premises without personnel,” the agency stated.

Profeco deployed teams at airports in Monterrey, Cancún, and Mexico City to provide information and assist affected consumers, inviting them to approach VivaAerobus and Volaris airline counters to arrange flights to their places of origin.