Hurricane Simon Strengthens; Air Canada, WestJet Activate Mexico Travel Advisories

Hurricane Simon is intensifying off Mexico’s Pacific coast, threatening popular tourist destinations with dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and potentially life-threatening flooding as Air Canada and WestJet activate travel advisories for affected passengers.

The storm strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane on Friday (Oct. 9), with maximum sustained winds reaching nearly 100 mph (155 km/h), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

Forecasters expect Simon to continue strengthening rapidly, potentially becoming a major hurricane by late Friday and intensifying further on Saturday as it approaches Mexico’s southwestern coastline.

Hurricane warnings have been issued for portions of Mexico’s central and southwestern Pacific coast, where hurricane-force winds are expected within 36 hours.

As of Friday, Simon was located approximately 335 kilometres south of Manzanillo and 500 kilometres south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.

The storm is expected to bring significant rainfall to southwestern Mexico, particularly coastal areas of Jalisco and portions of Michoacán, Colima and Nayarit.

Forecasters are warning of potentially life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Air Canada, WestJet activate advisories

With the storm threatening travel across Mexico’s Pacific coast, Air Canada and WestJet have activated flexible rebooking policies for affected travellers.

Air Canada has issued a travel advisory for flights to and from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) on October 10, 2026, warning that operations may be disrupted by Hurricane Simon.

The airline has revised its ticketing policy to allow customers travelling on affected flights to change their bookings without penalty, subject to seat availability.

Eligible passengers can retrieve their reservations through Air Canada’s online booking management tool to make changes free of charge.

Customers who booked through Air Canada Vacations are being directed to contact the tour operator directly at 1-800-296-3408.

Air Canada is also encouraging travellers to check their flight status or call its automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before heading to the airport.

The airline says it is closely monitoring the situation and working to transport passengers safely and as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, WestJet has activated travel advisories covering Puerto Vallarta (Oct, 9–12) and Mazatlán (Oct. 9–10).

For flight-only reservations booked directly with WestJet, passengers can make changes or cancellations through the airline’s Manage Trips platform.

Travellers with WestJet Vacations packages should contact WestJet Vacations directly.

WestJet says it is directing clients who booked through an agency or third-party website to contact their original booking source.

Advisors with clients travelling to Mexico’s Pacific coast over the coming days should monitor airline advisories and flight status updates, particularly as the storm’s track and intensity evolve.

Puerto Vallarta prepares for impact

Authorities in Jalisco, home to the popular resort destination of Puerto Vallarta, have begun implementing precautionary measures ahead of the storm’s arrival.

The state has suspended classes on Friday and Monday in 22 coastal municipalities and started evacuating residents from areas considered vulnerable to flooding and other storm-related hazards, reports the Associated Press.

Officials have also instructed Puerto Vallarta’s tourism sector to ensure that hotel employees and visitors are accommodated in shelters or designated safe zones by Friday afternoon.

For Canadian travel advisors, the developing situation underscores the importance of keeping clients informed about changing flight schedules, airline rebooking options and local safety instructions.

With the storm continuing to intensify, additional travel disruptions remain possible across Mexico’s Pacific coast.