Passenger Says Cancún Airport Handed Him Suitcase Open and Soaked

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A passenger who flew into Cancún says his checked suitcase was returned to him forced open and flooded with water, exposing a maintenance problem at Terminal 2 of the Cancún International Airport that workers say has been soaking bags as they move along the conveyor belts.

The traveler, Julio César Cárdenas, posted a video on social media showing that his luggage was still wet when he inspected it after landing. The moisture had reached the items packed inside, turning the end of his trip into an unpleasant surprise.

In the video, Cárdenas said the suitcase was damaged both on his arrival in Cancún and on the return leg of his trip between New York and the Mexican Caribbean resort.

“Everything is wet, I had electrical items with me, and they are handing me an open, soaked suitcase,” he said. “I traveled across the entire country protecting documents I need from the Baja California state archive from 1983, which I kept inside one of the best waterproof suitcases, with straps and security locks. What was the surprise when I got it in Cancún? Forced open and flooded inside.”

Passenger Says Staff Dismissed His Complaint

Cárdenas also complained about how airport personnel responded when he reported the damage.

“The worst part isn’t just the damage, it’s the mockery: the platform staff laughed at the situation, they refused to file the report saying that ‘nothing can be done because of the weather,’ and that the supervisor was too busy to come and help me. They sent me a QR code that is useless,” he said. “If you open something, out of simple courtesy and protocol, close it properly. I demand an answer and that they take responsibility for this terrible treatment of passengers.”

Workers Warn of Leaks on Baggage Belts

Employees at the terminal, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, said the situation on the baggage conveyor belts is even more serious than it appears. They described multiple leaks and conditions they consider alarming because of the volume of water running through those areas.

One account describes water gushing out at certain points, to the point that some travelers end up with soaked shoes. The water also puts at risk the belongings inside the bags circulating on the belts, since contact with moisture can damage clothing, documents, electronics and other personal items.

No photographs of the leaks described by the workers have been published, but their accounts, together with the experience of the passenger who received wet luggage, point to problems recorded inside the facility.

Repeat Problems at Terminal 2

The issue follows a similar incident in mid-October, when heavy rains sent water streaming into Terminal 2. On that occasion, the leaks were reported in the Copa Airlines check-in area, where passengers found puddles and water dripping from the ceiling.

The problems have raised questions about maintenance at the terminal, which is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (Asur), the company that manages one of the main entry points for domestic and foreign tourists visiting the Mexican Caribbean.

Leaks in an air terminal are more than an image problem. Beyond the material damage to travelers, standing water in transit and operations areas can cause slips and falls and complicate the handling of luggage. While passengers wait to receive their belongings in good condition, the workers’ testimony points to a problem that requires attention and an explanation from airport management.