Canadian airlines have restarted flights to and from certain parts of Mexico following disruptions due to violence over the weekend. However, travelers are considering whether to proceed with their plans. Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines have resumed services to and from Puerto Vallarta, with Flair Airlines set to resume its operations on Wednesday. Global Affairs Canada indicated that there have been no new incidents reported as of Monday, but cautionary shelter-in-place advisories remain in effect for the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit after violence erupted due to the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”
In response to inquiries about whether Canadians should cancel their Mexico trips, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand advised making decisions on a daily basis, despite signs of improvement in the situation. This uncertainty has left travelers like Cindy Redmile, who is scheduled to fly from Quesnel, B.C., to Cancun with her daughter, feeling unsure about their plans due to the recent events.
Conversely, Lauretta Prince from Fort St. James, B.C., is less worried and has allowed her granddaughters to decide about their upcoming trip to Puerto Vallarta. Both Redmile and Prince have purchased travel insurance that offers options for rebooking or obtaining travel credits if needed.
According to Will McAleer, Executive Director of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada, travelers without insurance coverage allowing cancellation for any reason may face difficulties in getting refunds for their trips. While airlines are offering some flexibility for rebooking or canceling, these options are limited to specific departure dates in the near future.
The Canadian government advises against non-essential travel to some parts of Mexico but only urges caution in popular tourist destinations. McKenzie McMillan, a managing partner at The Travel Group, mentioned that caution advisories are common and cited Italy as having a similar warning level due to security concerns.
Despite incidents in various Mexican cities, most notably Puerto Vallarta, destinations like Cancun have continued to operate normally, providing some reassurance to travelers. McAleer recommended that individuals with upcoming trips to Mexico should contact their airlines or tour operators to explore their options.
Prince remains optimistic about their trip to Puerto Vallarta and is keeping informed about the situation before finalizing their plans. She emphasized the significance of the trip for her granddaughters and her leaning towards proceeding with the vacation as planned.
