Canadian Airlines Returning to Mexico as Situation “Expected to Normalize”

Several Canadian airlines are resuming service to Mexico today, following an outburst of violence causing the deaths of at least 73 people in the wake of a government operation that killed drug cartel leader “El Mencho.” 

WestJet, Air Canada, Flair Airlines, Air Transat and Porter Airlines all cancelled or diverted flights to the hugely popular vacation destination following Sunday’s violence.

Cars burned by cartel members blocked roads at more than 250 locations in 20 Mexican states, including in the Pacific Coast destination of Puerto Vallarta, and sent smoke billowing into the air as tourists sheltered in place.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says her Mexican counterpart told her he expects the situation to “normalize” in the coming days. Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum described the country as “calm.”

WestJet will resume service to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo today, following a review of current conditions. Air Transat said it would do the same for Puerto Vallarta, after a positive update from local authorities.

Air Canada used social media to inform travellers that it will resume flights from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to PVR today, with flights from Toronto to Guadalajara resuming Wednesday. Porter also announced it intends to resume service to Puerto Vallarta today, with complimentary changes offered through Wednesday.

Flair is offering additional flexibility for customers travelling to and from Mexico today and tomorrow. This applies to all flights to and from Cancún, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara.

Mexico consistently ranks among the top international destinations for Canadian travellers, especially from Ontario and Western Canada. More than 2.8 million of us visited last year.

The Mexican government has deployed another 2,000 military troops to Jalisco, according to Reuters, as concerns linger of further violence in the state over El Mencho’s death.