Incidents at El Dorado International Airport

In early October, a severe hailstorm and heavy rainfall in Bogotá caused significant disruptions at El Dorado International Airport. The Aeronáutica Civil issued a ‘ground stop’ due to reduced visibility and communication failures, temporarily suspending all flights. The storm also resulted in flooding on major avenues and damage to local infrastructure.

Later in the month, authorities launched an investigation following the death of a civil aviation official at the airport. César Eduardo Mondragón Cediel, a 38-year-old meteorological analyst for the Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil), died after falling from the control tower on the morning of October 26, 2026.

Preliminary reports indicate the fall occurred around 3:00 a.m., though his body was not discovered until approximately 9:00 a.m. near the roof of the Colombia Aeronautical Management Center (CGAC) building. The tower's maximum height is reported to be 89 meters. The CTI and Bogotá Metropolitan Police have cordoned off the area to conduct a technical inspection and review security footage and shift logs. The investigation aims to determine whether the incident was a workplace accident, a suicide, or caused by other factors. Aerocivil has activated internal protocols and expressed condolences to the family while withholding specific details to respect their privacy.