Canadian airlines have restarted regular service to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) after a four-day suspension triggered by cartel violence in western Mexico. WestJet led the return, confirming late on 23 February that it would relaunch flights to PVR, Guadalajara (GDL) and Manzanillo (ZLO) on the morning of 24 February. Within hours, Air Canada, Sunwing, Porter, Air Transat and Flair all issued similar notices, collectively adding more than 1,000 seats back into the market. Air Canada up-gauged several rotations from Montréal and Toronto to Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to clear the backlog more quickly. Global Affairs Canada simultaneously downgraded its emergency advice, replacing the 20 February “avoid all travel” wording with a more targeted warning to exercise a “high degree of caution” in Jalisco and neighbouring states. Canadian officials stressed that airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara remained operational, but urged travellers to proceed only with confirmed flights and to obey any local curfews or shelter-in-place orders. The revised advisory unlocked insurer coverage and allowed carriers to lift their involuntary suspension policies.
![Canadian Carriers Restore Puerto Vallarta Flights as Ottawa Updates Mexico Security Advisory]()
While flight operations stabilise, travellers may still need to verify that their documentation is in order—especially if rerouting through the United States or another third country becomes necessary. VisaHQ’s Canadian platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides up-to-date entry requirements, rapid e-visa processing and emergency passport services, helping passengers adapt quickly to schedule changes without additional stress.
For business travellers, the resumption removes a major headache at the height of winter incentive-travel season. Tour operators report that roughly 35 per cent of Canadian group incentives scheduled between February and April involve Mexico’s Pacific coast; the shutdown had already forced itinerary overhauls and expensive last-minute re-routing via Los Cabos. Air-capacity forecasts now show seat counts returning to 96 per cent of the pre-incident schedule by 27 February, reducing the need for costly charters or circuitous routings through the U.S. Nevertheless, corporate mobility managers are being advised to maintain contingency plans. Shelter-in-place orders are still active in parts of Jalisco and Nayarit, and Mexican authorities warn that sporadic roadblocks could recur. Canadian companies with travellers in-country should ensure staff are registered with the Government of Canada’s “Canadians Abroad” system, maintain 24-hour contact protocols, and reconfirm flight status before ground transfers. Travellers should keep hotel receipts and proof of additional expenses; many airlines have activated “goodwill” policies that reimburse reasonable costs when disruptions exceed three hours under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).
While flight operations stabilise, travellers may still need to verify that their documentation is in order—especially if rerouting through the United States or another third country becomes necessary. VisaHQ’s Canadian platform (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) provides up-to-date entry requirements, rapid e-visa processing and emergency passport services, helping passengers adapt quickly to schedule changes without additional stress.
For business travellers, the resumption removes a major headache at the height of winter incentive-travel season. Tour operators report that roughly 35 per cent of Canadian group incentives scheduled between February and April involve Mexico’s Pacific coast; the shutdown had already forced itinerary overhauls and expensive last-minute re-routing via Los Cabos. Air-capacity forecasts now show seat counts returning to 96 per cent of the pre-incident schedule by 27 February, reducing the need for costly charters or circuitous routings through the U.S. Nevertheless, corporate mobility managers are being advised to maintain contingency plans. Shelter-in-place orders are still active in parts of Jalisco and Nayarit, and Mexican authorities warn that sporadic roadblocks could recur. Canadian companies with travellers in-country should ensure staff are registered with the Government of Canada’s “Canadians Abroad” system, maintain 24-hour contact protocols, and reconfirm flight status before ground transfers. Travellers should keep hotel receipts and proof of additional expenses; many airlines have activated “goodwill” policies that reimburse reasonable costs when disruptions exceed three hours under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).
