The calm at Mexico City's international airport was shattered by an unexpected protest from a prominent teachers' union on Friday afternoon. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the airport, blocking terminals and disrupting flights for approximately 20 minutes around 2 p.m., leading to travel chaos for thousands of passengers.
The demonstration was primarily focused on demanding higher wages for teachers, highlighting growing dissatisfaction amid a weak economy. As security forces responded to restore order, the unrest caused not only flight cancellations but also hefty delays, with some airlines like Aeroméxico offering rescheduling options to affected travelers.
Traffic outside the airport came to a standstill as union members made their voices heard, with police requesting stranded passengers to hop onto trucks for rides to the airport. Eva Hinojosa Tera, a leader of the protesting group, expressed frustration over the lack of responsiveness from the government, emphasizing that their needs have gone largely ignored.
The National Educational Workers Coordination, representing around 100,000 teachers, is advocating for significant changes including doubling teacher salaries and revising laws they find detrimental to educational quality. The protest is a testament to the mounting pressures faced by President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration as it grapples with a substantial budget deficit and economic constraints.
The demonstration was primarily focused on demanding higher wages for teachers, highlighting growing dissatisfaction amid a weak economy. As security forces responded to restore order, the unrest caused not only flight cancellations but also hefty delays, with some airlines like Aeroméxico offering rescheduling options to affected travelers.
Traffic outside the airport came to a standstill as union members made their voices heard, with police requesting stranded passengers to hop onto trucks for rides to the airport. Eva Hinojosa Tera, a leader of the protesting group, expressed frustration over the lack of responsiveness from the government, emphasizing that their needs have gone largely ignored.
The National Educational Workers Coordination, representing around 100,000 teachers, is advocating for significant changes including doubling teacher salaries and revising laws they find detrimental to educational quality. The protest is a testament to the mounting pressures faced by President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration as it grapples with a substantial budget deficit and economic constraints.
