Air Canada is sending larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes to Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday to repatriate stranded tourists who have been stuck in the Mexican state of Jalisco since Sunday, when cartel violence brought panic following the capture and killing of the notorious gang leader El Mencho.
As members of the CJNG cartel started fires across Puerto Vallarta and openly attacked security forces in the streets, Air Canada, along with other Canadian airlines and U.S. carriers, canceled and diverted flights to the popular resort town.
Canadian and American tourists were advised to shelter in place and stay clear of airports in Puerto Vallarta and neighboring Guadalajara, as their respective governments issued urgent travel advisories warning of gang violence and heightened tension in the region.
While many U.S.-based carriers resumed flights to Puerto Vallarta on Monday, Air Canada cancelled flights for a second straight day, citing the developing security situation.
Late on Monday evening, however, the airline said it had now changed its stance following extensive consultations with government officials in both Canada and Mexico.
“Following consultation with the Government of Canada and Mexican authorities, we will resume full operations from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, February 24,” the airline said in a statement.
“To help get customers home as soon as possible, we’re flying larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Toronto and Montreal to Puerto Vallarta, for 258 seats of added capacity.”
Passengers who were originally due to fly home on February 22 or 23 are advised to get their rebooking confirmation before heading to the airport.
Air Canada flights from Toronto to Guadalajara are not expected to resume until Wednesday, although WestJet is slated to resume all flights to the region, including both Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, on Tuesday.
In an updated travel advisory, the Canadian government said there were “no new significant security incidents” on Tuesday, but warned Canadian citizens only to travel to the airport if their flight is confirmed as going and they already have a ticket.
Travelers have also been advised to keep a low profile and limit their movements.
The U.S. State Department continues to keep a Level 3 travel alert in place for Puerto Vallarta, which urges American citizens to ‘reconsider travel.’
Despite reports of cartel attacks and scenes of mass panic at airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, local officials have confirmed that both airports remained secure on Sunday and Monday, and there was no violence at either location.
Authorities explained that mass hysteria broke out, especially at Guadalajara International Airport, after social media reports of violence in the city started to spread among travellers.
