Canadian airlines have resumed flights to and from various parts of Mexico following disruptions due to violence in the region on Sunday. Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines have restarted operations in and out of Puerto Vallarta, with Flair Airlines set to resume service to the resort town on Wednesday.
Global Affairs Canada has reported no new incidents as of Monday, but cautionary shelter-in-place advisories remain in effect for the western Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit following violent events triggered by the military operation that led to the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand advised Canadians with upcoming trips to Mexico to assess the situation day by day, despite signs of improvement. This uncertainty has left travelers like Cindy Redmile unsure about proceeding with their travel plans. Redmile, who is scheduled to travel from Quesnel, B.C., to Cancun with her daughter, expressed concerns about the evolving situation’s potential impact on their safety.
Conversely, Lauretta Prince from Fort St. James, B.C., remains less apprehensive. She and a friend had planned a trip to Puerto Vallarta with their granddaughters to commemorate their graduations, leaving the final decision to the younger travelers.
Both Redmile and Prince have purchased travel insurance to allow flexibility in rebooking or obtaining travel credits if needed. However, travelers should be aware that insurance coverage for cancellations may vary, and policies often require specific conditions for refunds.
While the Canadian government advises against non-essential travel to some parts of Mexico, popular tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel, and Mexico City are under a cautionary advisory. McKenzie McMillan of The Travel Group noted that cautionary alerts are common and compared the situation to similar warnings in other countries like Italy.
Despite recent security concerns in Mexico, flights to destinations like Cancun have continued without disruptions, providing reassurance to travelers heading to the eastern part of the country. Will McAleer emphasized the importance of liaising with airlines or tour operators to understand available options for upcoming trips to Mexico.
Prince, who is eagerly awaiting her granddaughters’ celebratory trip, remains optimistic about their vacation plans, emphasizing the significance of the trip for her family. She is monitoring the situation closely before finalizing their travel decisions, leaning towards proceeding with the trip as scheduled.