D/FW AIRPORT — Bankruptcy has grounded Mexico's largest airline, affecting travelers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Mexicana Airlines quit flying at noon Saturday. The impact is being felt across the country, including in North Texas, where the carrier operated two daily flights between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Mexico City.
Passengers are scrambling to find new flights.
Ernesto Oliva's flight doesn't leave until Sunday but he's at D/FW anyway.
"I didn't want to be uncertain about what was going to happen," he said.
Throughout Saturday morning, passengers arrived at Mexicana's gate, trying to get answers, in the hours before it closed.
"We were in a panic because the tickets are already paid for and everything," said Alex Ambriz, a passenger.
For now, passengers are being transferred to partner airlines, including American.
Analysts saw this coming: earlier this month, Mexicana executives warned the carrier would need $100 million to stay in the air.
Pilots complain they haven't been paid, even the gate agents are unsure if they're now without a job.
"I need to search for another job," said Patricia Lopez, a gate agent.
The airline, Mexico's largest, carried 11 million passengers a year and was D/FW's first foreign carrier.
The carrier's loss could eliminate air service to many Mexican cities and leave people like Oliva stranded.
He got a flight to Mexico City but he's worried about the connecting flight home to Oaxaca.
Agents first told him he'd have to take a bus, before finally issuing him a ticket on a rival airline.
"I have another three more tickets with them and I have to ask for my money back when I get home," he said, adding that he didn't think he would get that money.
Mexicana Airlines hopes to re-start service but has no idea when.
Passengers with questions can contact the carrier toll-free at 888-882-9994 or 877-801-2010.
E-mail jbetz@wfaa.com
