The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), through the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) Command, has launched an administrative investigation into the incident that occurred this Friday on Magnicharters flight GMT 780 bound for Cancún.
An interesting incident occurred on GMT-780 flight number operated by Mexican airline Magnicharters on the Mexico City - Cancún route.
Captain pilot Edgar Macías González claimed that the company owed him and other employees 5 months of daily allowances and salaries, and he did not allow the plane to take off. In videos recorded by passengers with their cell phones, the pilot came out of the cockpit and explained the situation to the passengers:
“The company owes us more than 5 months of salary and daily allowances. They don't even provide uniforms. This plane won't take off until payment is made.”
The rare incident began around 3:00 PM, when the flight—initially delayed for maintenance—already had passengers on board.
The pilot apologized to the passengers, stating that he is a father of 3 children, has been working at the company for almost 3 years, and has never missed a flight before. He also claimed that there was a technical malfunction at the plane's door, and despite reporting it, he was forced to proceed with the flight.
The captain explaining his situation:
“I’ve been with the airline for almost three years, I’ve never missed a flight… We invest so much in this profession only to be told one day, ‘Leave." He stated that the company owes salaries and per diems to some 300 employees and asked travelers to spread the word.
Tensions escalated, causing discomfort among passengers, who whistled and demanded solutions. The incident lasted approximately 1-1.5 hours. When the pilot locked himself in the cockpit, authorities intervened, the cockpit door was forcibly opened, and the pilot was taken into custody. Passengers were disembarked from the plane, the flight was canceled, and passengers were redirected to other flights.
Members of the Mexican Navy (Semar) and airport personnel intervened to evacuate the aircraft, remove the pilot—who was temporarily detained—and ensure safety.
The flight finally departed around 6:00 p.m. with a replacement crew. No injuries or major disruptions to operations at Mexico City International Airport ( AICM) were reported.
Magnicharters has not issued an official statement, although sources indicate that the pilot has been dismissed from the company. The AFAC is taking statements from the crew and analyzing possible violations of air safety protocols, while the Directorate of Aviation Accident and Incident Analysis (DAAIA) reviews the case.
It is known that the company has previously been in the news for financial problems and payment delays.This event occurs in the middle of the end-of-year holiday season, when the flow of passengers to tourist destinations such as Cancun increases significantly, highlighting the need for job stability in the aeronautical sector.
The incident has now reignited the debate about the importance of airport security protocols and the need for clear mechanisms to address labor disputes without jeopardizing passengers or flight operations.
