Cancun Airport and Cancun News: Full Travel Update for February 25, 2026
Cancun International Airport is back in business — but the week that shook Mexico's tourism industry is still fresh, and travelers heading to the Caribbean coast need the full picture before they book a car, catch a flight, or leave their resort.
What Happened at Cancun Airport This Week
The crisis that hit Cancun airport was not born in Cancun. The chaos was not caused by a local security incident in Cancun but by ripple effects — airline crew logistics became complicated as roadblocks in other states disrupted aircraft positioning and routing across Mexico.
Hundreds of travelers passing through Cancun International Airport faced significant disruption after a combined total of 40 delayed flights and 23 cancellations swept through the terminal, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling to rebook connections.
Among the carriers caught in the disruption were AeroMéxico with 3 cancellations and 10 delays, American Airlines with 1 cancellation and 2 delays, Volaris with 6 delays, Avianca with 2 delays, and Delta Air Lines with 2 delays.
Cancun Airport Status Right Now: February 25, 2026 ET
The recovery has been swift. Cancun International Airport and other airports in Quintana Roo are now operating normally, and the U.S. Embassy has confirmed that travelers should not expect any flight disruptions from Cancun or other airports in the region.
The emergency shelter-in-place order issued on February 22 lasted less than 24 hours for the Cancun area. The situation in Quintana Roo stabilized significantly faster than it did in harder-hit states like Jalisco, where the chaos originated following the killing of CJNG cartel leader "El Mencho."
This stands in stark contrast to western Mexico. U.S. government staff in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta remain subject to nighttime curfews and restrictions on travel outside their metropolitan areas as of this writing.
Airline Waivers Still Available
Airlines are still allowing free changes and fare difference waivers for those wishing to change their flights through February 28, 2026. Tickets must go to the same destination in Mexico as previously booked and must be flown before March 7, 2026 to qualify.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, if your airline cancels your flight for any reason, you are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method — even on non-refundable tickets — if you choose not to rebook.
New VISITAX Enforcement at Cancun Airport
A separate disruption is catching travelers off guard at departure gates. Every foreign tourist over the age of four departing Quintana Roo — which includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum — owes the state 283 Mexican pesos, roughly $15.80 USD. Authorities are deploying targeted checkpoints right before the final escalators leading to security screening, flagging travelers who cannot show immediate proof of payment.
Stricter verification of the mandatory tourist departure tax has added extra processing time at certain checkpoints, contributing to congestion in the terminal.
Pay only through the official state portal — visitax.gob.mx — and screenshot your receipt immediately upon payment.
Cancun Airport Expansion: What's Coming in 2026
Amid the crisis, a major infrastructure story continues moving forward. A major expansion at Cancun International Airport is centered on Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, with the goal of increasing capacity and smoothing passenger flow. Terminal 1's reconstruction and expansion is estimated to be completed around mid-2026, timed to align with the FIFA World Cup and surging demand — Cancun recorded a 16% increase in airport traffic through September 2025.
Cancun Airport Quick-Reference Guide
| Item | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Cancun Airport (CUN) | Fully operational |
| Shelter-in-place order | Lifted — Quintana Roo cleared |
| U.S. Embassy travel level | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution |
| Flight waivers | Available through Feb 28; rebook by Mar 7 |
| VISITAX departure tax | $15.80 USD — pay at visitax.gob.mx before airport |
| Terminal 1 expansion | On track for mid-2026 completion |
| U.S. emergency line (from Mexico) | (55) 8526-2561 |
| U.S. toll-free | +1-844-528-6611 |
Cancun is open, the airport is running, and the emergency directive has been cleared — but the broader Mexico situation remains fluid. Travelers are advised to monitor the U.S. Embassy Mexico website and their airline for any new updates before departing, stay in tourist corridors, and avoid travel to states still experiencing unrest including Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, and Guerrero.
