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By THE PULSE NEWS MEXICO STAFF

A slew of multiple flight cancellations due to covid-19 infections of Aeroméxico flight attendants and pilots caused chaos at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) over the weekend, as thousands of passengers were left stranded.

According to the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco), between Friday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 9, the nation’s flagship airlines had canceled at least 260 national and international flights at the AICM, due to covid-19 contagion among its flight staff.

Aeroméxico has already announced that it will cancel at least 14 flights on Monday, Jan. 10.

Meanwhile, the country’s other two major airlines,  Volaris and Viva Aerobús, are reportedly now operating, although Viva cancelled 11 flights on Friday and Saturday.

Due to the spike in Covid-19 cases, airlines around the globe are facing understaffing not only of pilots and flight attendants, but of ground workers.

On Saturday, the Mexican Association of Air Pilots (ASPA) explained that when a pilot tests positive for covid-19, they must isolate, along with the rest of the flight crew, until the disease is ruled out or confirmed.

According to Aeroméxico sources, as of Sunday, 69 company pilots had tested positive for covid-19.

More cancellations are expected in throughout the week.

Long passenger lines of fully booked flights out of the AICM’s Terminal 2 also added to the confusion of cancellations, and many passengers were forced to sleep on the terminal’s floor.