Canadian carriers resuming flights to Puerto Vallarta

Canadian airlines are resuming scheduled operations to a number of key destinations in Mexico after they had to suspend those flights after an operation by the Mexican government against a major drug cartel led to an outbreak of violence in Jalisco state, including the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, with cars being burned and roads being blocked in various places in the area.

Now, WestJet, Air Canada, Air Transat and Porter Airlines have all said they will be resuming their flight operations.

WESTJET

WestJet said that it continues to closely monitor developments in Mexico and following a thorough review of the current conditions, the carrier will resume scheduled operations to and from Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Guadalajara (GDL) and Manzanillo (ZLO) beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The carrier notes that a t this time, tourist and resort areas across Mexico remain open and continue to serve visitors. WestJet flights to Mexico will operate as scheduled to all destinations, with the safety of our guests and partners remaining our top priority.

WestJet said that its flexible/change policy remains in effect for guests travelling to PVR, GDL and ZLO until Feb. 27.

AIR TRANSAT

In an operational update, Transat said that according to information provided by local authorities, no incidents related to road blockages have been reported in the state of Jalisco since midnight February 23 and security measures have been reinforced.

In light of these developments, Air Transat plans to resume its operations to and from Puerto Vallarta as of Feb. 24.

To provide added peace of mind for its customers, Air Transat is maintaining a special flexibility measure for flights to Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, allowing travellers to change their booking without penalty or to cancel their trip in exchange for a travel credit valid for 12 months from the original return date.

Elsewhere in Mexico, operations are running normally.

AIR CANADA

Air Canada advised that flights will resume with a modified schedule to and from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) on Tues., Feb. 24, and to and from Guadalajara (GDL) on Wed., Feb. 25.

And the airline said that it has added seats to its schedule to get customers home sooner.

The carrier advises that if passengers currently have a reservation for travel to, from or through Puerto Vallarta (PVR) or Guadalajara (GDL), Air Canada has also implemented a policy that makes it possible for passengers to make voluntary changes to their itinerary if:

• You purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than Feb. 22, 2026, for travel between Feb. 24 and 28, 2026.

If a passenger is scheduled to travel during the affected period, they can retrieve your booking to change your flight, free of charge, to another date up to seven (7) days from your original travel date, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Outside of those dates, any fare difference will apply.

SUNWING

Sunwing reports that it is closely monitoring conditions across Mexico, particularly the recent developments in Puerto Vallarta.

The operator says that at this time, all other resort areas in Mexico remain open and continue to welcome visitors as usual.

It also notes that WestJet flights are operating on schedule to these destinations, with the safety of our customers, crews and ground partners as our top priority.

And it advises that its operations to Puerto Vallarta are resuming as of today, Feb. 24, 2026.

Go to https://www.sunwing.ca/en/travel-alerts for more.

In other news, Sunwing Vacations has confirmed that repatriation flights from Cuba have been successfully completed.

The operator says that from Feb. 9 to Feb. 17, 2026, WestJet operated northbound flights to ensure the safe and efficient return of Canadian travellers who were in Cuba.

TICO on Mexico travel bookings to Mexico

TICO says it is monitoring the evolving situation in parts of Mexico and understands that news of unrest can be concerning for travellers and the advisors supporting them.

Richard Smart, TICO CEO, said: “Travel advisors are an essential partner in helping consumers navigate an increasingly complex travel landscape. With the industry once again facing challenges, including those affecting travel to parts of Mexico, advisors continue to provide critical guidance on consumer protection and making adjustments when plans are disrupted.”

For registrants with travellers currently in destination:

• Safety is the top priority. Travellers are encouraged to shelter-in-place and follow all instructions from local authorities.
• Under section 40 of the Regulation, the timing of a scheduled departure can be delayed or advanced by more than 24 hours when there is a safety consideration. Consumers must be notified on a timely basis.
• Encourage travellers to stay in close contact with the airline, tour operator, or travel agency for the latest operational updates. ?
• Travellers should register with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service so officials can get in touch with important information, and continue to review the Government of Canada’s latest travel advisories for Mexico.
• Travellers should contact their travel insurance provider, if applicable, to understand what coverage is available.

For registrants with travellers whose southbound flights to affected areas have been cancelled:

Packaged travel

Under Ontario law, if a travel agency or tour operator acquires rights to travel services for resale and is unable to provide the travel services because a supplier fails to deliver them (e.g., flight to destination), customers must be offered their choice of:

• A refund;
• Comparable alternate travel services acceptable to the customer; or
• A voucher or similar document that is acceptable to the customer for future redemption towards travel services.

If a customer prefers a full refund for a travel package, Ontario’s consumer protection laws require a refund be provided within a reasonable timeframe.

Relevant section of the Regulation: 46

For registrants with travellers with future bookings:

Terms and conditions

Where suppliers continue to deliver services, customers remain subject to the booking’s terms and conditions, including any applicable change or cancellation penalties.

While some suppliers may choose to offer a goodwill gesture to their customers, registrants should consider all their contractual and legal obligations in determining how to address the situation.

Relevant section of the Regulation: 36

Conditions affecting travel purchase decisions

Registrants are required to warn customers of the evolving nature of conditions in parts of Mexico. Prior to reserving travel services for a customer, a travel agent shall bring to the customer’s attention any conditions that the travel agent has reason to believe may affect the customer’s decision to make the purchase.

TICO encourages registrants to continue checking the Government of Canada’s Mexico travel advisory regularly, as the situation may change.

Relevant section of the Regulation: 36(a)

Advising customers of changing conditions

Registrants may also have a continuing obligation to inform customers of a deteriorating situation in the travel destination after the travel services have been reserved.

After booking, if any material information previously communicated to the customer changes (e.g., details from an advertisement or brochure) that may have influenced their purchase decision, the registrant must promptly inform the customer.

Relevant section of the Regulation: 37

Additional resources:

Registrants are encouraged to monitor supplier websites for the latest updates on service availability and goodwill gestures.

• For potential compensation and regulations for air-only cancellations and delays, advisors and passengers should refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.