A Magnicharters pilot held a flight bound for Cancún at Mexico City's International Airport (AICM) on December 19, demanding payment for over five months of unpaid salaries. Édgar Macías González addressed passengers from the cockpit, explaining his protest as a family man. The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) launched an administrative investigation into the incident.
The incident took place during Magnicharters' flight GMT-780, scheduled to depart from Mexico City's AICM to Cancún on Friday, December 19, 2025. According to the AFAC, the captain detected a 'minor problem' during takeoff preparations, prompting the aircraft to return to the ramp for technical inspection. Once addressed, a relief crew was assigned, but the original pilot, Édgar Macías González, chose to address passengers via the intercom.
In his speech, Macías González stated that the airline owed him over five months of salaries and per diems, and had recently dismissed him. 'I ask you from the heart to understand me, to comprehend, I am a father of three beautiful children. It's very difficult for me. I am very sorry. It hurts me to have you standing here (...) I ask for a great apology, I am practically in negotiations with the owner of the airline. They have to pay us today what they owe us. They owe us more than five months of salaries (...) this aircraft won't leave until they pay us what they owe,' the pilot declared, as captured in videos shared on social media.
Passengers voiced frustration and anger, feeling 'kidnapped' by the protest. Airport security personnel, including the Naval Airport Protection Unit, intervened to remove Macías from the cockpit. He was detained and turned over to authorities. The flight was canceled, and passengers were deplaned with no injuries reported.
Magnicharters, founded in 1994 in Monterrey by the Bojórquez family and based at AICM, is under scrutiny for this event. In 2023, it nearly halted operations due to a 70 million pesos debt to the airport. The airline has not issued an official statement on the alleged labor debts. The AFAC and the Directorate of Aviation Accident and Incident Analysis (DAAIA) are investigating to ensure safety protocols were followed.
