As of February 23, thousands of flights from Europe to North America are facing severe disruptions due to a combination of brutal winter weather and escalating violence in Mexico.
Airlines including British Airways, Aer Lingus, Air France, and Lufthansa have cancelled or delayed transatlantic routes, leaving passengers stranded at major airports like London Heathrow, Dublin, and Paris. The chaos comes from Winter Storm Hernando battering the US Northeast, snowstorms in Canada, and cartel-related unrest following the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader “El Mencho” in Mexico. Passengers are warned they should check airline apps and government advisories for updates.
Winter storm Hernando causes massive US flight cancellations
Winter Storm Hernando, a powerful nor’easter, has unleashed heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions across the US East Coast, leading to over 8,000 flight cancellations between February 22 and 23. Main airports like New York’s JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and Newark (EWR), along with Boston Logan (BOS), have suspended operations, directly impacting flights from Europe. From the UK alone, 32 flights from Heathrow to JFK were axed on February 23, with similar issues at Gatwick and Manchester. Irish routes are hit hard too, with Dublin Airport cancelling 13 US-bound flights due to the storm’s “impossible travel conditions”. Airlines like Delta, United, and American have issued waivers, but ripple effects could extend into February 24 as crews reposition.
The storm’s intensity, with up to 2 feet (60cm) of snow and gusts over 60 mph (100 kmph), means safety is more important than ever, and forcing preemptive cancellations to avoid stranding aircraft.
Cartel violence sets Mexican streets on fire, halts flights and shelter advisories
In Mexico, the killing of notorious cartel boss Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes during a military raid on February 22 has ignited widespread violence in Jalisco state, including roadblocks, vehicle arsons, and clashes. This has led to all international flights to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL) being cancelled on February 22, with many extending into February 23. While Puerto Vallarta (PVR) has issued a statement saying they are still open and operating, no firm guarantees have been given that onward travel from the airport has been received.
European carriers, together with US and Canadian airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet, have suspended services to these tourist hotspots. Direct flights from cities like Frankfurt and Madrid are affected, stranding tourists with shelter-in-place orders from the US, UK, and Germany.
The unrest, marked by gunmen storming airports and torching businesses, has no reported civilian casualties but has prompted travel warnings and waivers for rebooking.
Snowstorms disrupt Europe-to-Canada routes
Flights from Europe to Canada are grappling with dual weather threats: Storm Hernando causing cancellations across European airports like Paris and Vienna, and local snowstorms in Toronto and Edmonton delaying arrivals. Toronto Pearson saw dozens of proactive cancellations ahead of heavy snowfall, impacting transatlantic services from hubs like Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
⚠️ #Mexico Travel Advice update ⚠️
Security incidents have also been reported in other parts of Mexico. As the situation develops, wherever you are in Mexico, you should stay alert and follow local security advice.https://t.co/9skJHksfTG pic.twitter.com/tf2mSnRWiu
— UK in Mexico🇬🇧🇲🇽 (@UKinMexico) February 22, 2026
As well, Canadian carriers have halted Mexico-bound flights due to the violence, but direct Europe-Canada disruptions remain mostly weather-driven. Experts predict ongoing delays as systems clear, advising flexible itineraries.
For real-time updates, visit FlightAware or official airline sites and national consulate websites such as the UK’s.
