On May 23, 2025, a powerful teachers' union protest brought chaos to Mexico City’s main international airport, temporarily halting flights and delaying thousands of passengers. The demonstration, which sought higher wages for educators, escalated to a scene requiring a swift response from security forces who filled the terminals.
Teachers' Union Protest Temporarily Grounds Flights at Mexico City Airport
Teachers' Union Protest Temporarily Grounds Flights at Mexico City Airport
A demonstration demanding higher wages disrupted travel at Mexico City's International Airport, spotlighting tensions in the education sector.
The protest commenced around 2 p.m. local time, with hundreds of members from the National Educational Workers Coordination (C.N.T.E.) marching toward the airport’s entrances. This impromptu gathering not only affected air travel but also created significant traffic disruptions in the airport’s busy surroundings. Passengers were aided by police in reaching the terminals, and riot police were visible inside the airport attempting to maintain order.
Although this protest was short-lived, its impact was substantial; several international flights experienced cancellations or prolonged delays. Airlines, including Aeroméxico, were prompt in offering alternative arrangements to affected passengers, allowing for free rescheduling or minimal fare differences.
The protest reflects growing unrest among public employee unions and civil movements as President Claudia Sheinbaum is navigating through a sluggish economy and significant fiscal deficits that limit her ability to meet public sector wage demands. Union leader Eva Hinojosa Tera emphasized the lack of government engagement in resolving their issues in a radio interview, stating, “We have not received any attention or respect to resolve our demands”.
The C.N.T.E., a faction of Mexico’s largest teachers' union, has a membership of around 100,000 and has a history of fighting for labor rights. Their current calls to action include demands to double teacher salaries and amend unfavorable pension and education laws. The combination of economic struggle and labor unrest presents a growing challenge for Mexico’s leadership, exacerbating tensions across the public sector.
Although this protest was short-lived, its impact was substantial; several international flights experienced cancellations or prolonged delays. Airlines, including Aeroméxico, were prompt in offering alternative arrangements to affected passengers, allowing for free rescheduling or minimal fare differences.
The protest reflects growing unrest among public employee unions and civil movements as President Claudia Sheinbaum is navigating through a sluggish economy and significant fiscal deficits that limit her ability to meet public sector wage demands. Union leader Eva Hinojosa Tera emphasized the lack of government engagement in resolving their issues in a radio interview, stating, “We have not received any attention or respect to resolve our demands”.
The C.N.T.E., a faction of Mexico’s largest teachers' union, has a membership of around 100,000 and has a history of fighting for labor rights. Their current calls to action include demands to double teacher salaries and amend unfavorable pension and education laws. The combination of economic struggle and labor unrest presents a growing challenge for Mexico’s leadership, exacerbating tensions across the public sector.
