A flight bound for Cancun was disrupted Friday afternoon at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) after a Magnicharters pilot refused to take off and remained inside the cockpit, forcing passengers to disembark and the intervention of federal authorities. The episode, which occurred around 3:00 pm, was documented in multiple videos shared on social media and caused delays during peak travel season. The administration of the Benito Juarez International Airport confirmed that the incident occurred on flight GMT 780 and that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), through the airport command, opened an investigation to determine the causes. In a statement, the AICM indicated that official information will be released once the investigations are concluded and assured that operations continued normally after the incident. According to the newspaper El Financiero, the pilot explained in a video recorded by passengers that his refusal to operate the flight was due to unpaid wages accumulated for more than five months. "I am in negotiations with the owner; they owe us more than five months of salary, and they are not giving us navigation charts," he said over the aircraft's intercom. The media outlet requested information from the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) regarding the case, but did not receive an immediate response. The pilot, whose identity was not revealed, also reportedly expressed his dissatisfaction after being notified of his dismissal and demanded to speak with airport communications staff and Civil Protection. Images show passengers disembarking the aircraft with the assistance of members of the Mexican Navy, while expressing their frustration at not being able to continue their journey. Information published by the newspaper Reforma indicates that the pilot was removed from the aircraft by federal authorities after several hours and taken into custody to determine responsibility. The passengers, who were initially informed of a delay due to alleged technical issues,They had to return to the airport terminal after reboarding.The newspaper also reported that the AFAC (Federal Civil Aviation Agency) had launched an investigation and that the airline had not issued an official statement. Amid the tension, some passengers were captured on camera shouting for an immediate solution. “Get him off the plane, they're committing a crime,” one of them could be heard saying, while others commented that they would be taken back to the airport. The scenes reflected the anger and uncertainty of the passengers, who were ultimately stranded in the boarding area. Magnicharters, an airline founded in Monterrey, operates a fleet of 12 Boeing 737 aircraft. In 2023, it nearly suspended operations at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) due to a debt of approximately $3.8 million. In its official statement, the company affirms that its aircraft undergo rigorous maintenance processes and that its personnel are highly trained to guarantee passenger safety. The incident occurred on the same day that Mexico City International Airport (AICM) announced the activation of WhatsApp customer service numbers and the implementation of special security and traveler assistance protocols during the holiday season, which will extend until January 6.

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