In travel news for March 29, 2022 we have safety and security updates from Cancun, including an update from the Cancun International Airport, and we look at where airfare prices are and might be going.
Yesterday we talked about a chaotic scene in Mexico's Cancun International Airport. There were many videos posted to social media claiming a explosion or gun fire. Given the recent violence between cartels in the area this spread quickly across social media. After evacuations the area was investigated and no evidence of gunfire or explosions were found. This gave rise to the theory that the rubber belt from an x-ray machine burst. It turns out the cause is actually quite boring. At least one large sign fell, causing a loud noise which was easily mistaken for something more ominous.
Mexico is taking extra efforts to combat violence within it’s southern tourist areas in order to keep travelers safe. Uniformed soldiers and police officers have recently increased their presence in the Cancun Hotel Zone during the busy Spring Break season. This is part of Cancun’s “Safe Beach Program” and the “Red Circle Operation” which are part of a larger effort to prevent violence or other criminal behavior in tourist areas. Cancun has recently been experiencing a surge in violence in tourist areas as cartels fight for control over drug trafficking routes.
As fuel prices continue to climb it was only a matter of time before airfares were affected. According the the travel comparison company Hopper, U.S. Domestic airfare has risen 40% since the year began. These prices are 7% higher then pre-pandemic 2019 prices. Hopper is forecasting that domestic round-trip prices will continue at this level until end of April, after which they predict an increase of 10%. For international flights they are predicting average pricing to be comparable to pre-pandemic pricing. Please note these predictions are based on average price across many airlines and routes.