Flights Resume After Mexico City Earthquake; Death Toll Passes 200

Flights have resumed from Mexico City’s airport following yesterday’s powerful earthquake, the second to strike Mexico over the past few weeks.

According to the official Twitter account for the Benito Juarez International Airport, operations began to resume at 4 p.m. local time, although flight delays persist. Several airlines have issued flight cancellation and change waivers:

American Airlines customers scheduled to travel through September 20 can rebook for travel through September 23 between the same city pair in the same cabin (or pay the difference). The original ticket must have been bought by September 19.

United Airlines and Delta customers scheduled to travel through September 20 can also rebook through September 23.

Customers on Southwest Airlines scheduled to travel through September 20 can rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original date of travel between the same city pair.

JetBlue customers scheduled to travel through September 21 can rebook through September 26.

Customers scheduled to fly on Aeromexico through September 21 can rebook through October 31.

According to the Associated Press via The New York Daily News, the death toll from the earthquake has risen to at least 226, 177 of which were in Mexico City and 55 in Morelos state, just south of the capital. Thirty-nine died in Puebla state, where the earthquake was centered; 12 died in Mexico State, which surrounds Mexico City; and three died in Guerrero state. The official count does not include one death reported in Oaxaca. The earthquake also knocked down dozens of buildings in Mexico City and nearby states, with rescuers still working to free people trapped in buildings.

In terms of hotels, Marriott International reports that all of its guests and associates have been located and so far there have been no reports of injuries. The company continues to work with local authorities to monitor the situation and assess its area hotels.

The Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City reports that it remains open as it assesses potential damage to the property.

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurs less than two weeks after the most powerful earthquake in a century struck Mexico offshore near the southern state of Chiapas, killing at least 100 people in Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco and rocking the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City.

Related Stories

Mexico Proposes Tourist Tax; Could Help Fund Security

Los Cabos Tourism Director Talks Mexico Travel Warning Impact

Tropical Storm Norma Moves Away From Mexico; Hurricane Otis Weakens

Acapulco "Fully Functional" After Hurricane Max