Flights out of Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport were canceled Monday, February 23, due to violence erupting in western Mexico after the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho.' The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert urging U.S. citizens to shelter in place across several Mexican states due to 'ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity.' LAX saw 128 flights canceled as of 10 a.m., with many East Coast destinations like New York, Newark, and Boston affected. SFO experienced 86 cancellations, including all incoming flights from major Northeast hubs. Forty percent of Puerto Vallarta's global flights were also canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Violence spread nationwide following Oseguera's death during a military operation, including bus burnings and road blockages. The U.S. Department of State advised travelers in affected areas to shelter in place, noting most domestic and international flights were canceled in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Southwest and American Airlines offered flexible rebooking options for passengers affected by the Mexico unrest, waiving fees and fare differences for specific travel windows.

The disruptions compounded existing challenges from a Northeast blizzard that canceled flights from Sky Harbor to cities like New York, Boston, and Newark. LAX and SFO staff urged passengers to check flight statuses directly with airlines before arriving at the airport for updates on their travel plans.