Canada’s aviation regulator has announced an investigation into the recent flight disturbances in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Canadian airlines suddenly suspended operations to the popular tourist destination after violent incidents erupted across Mexico following the death of a prominent cartel leader by government forces.
Although the airlines have now resumed services, some passengers remain stranded, despite regulations requiring Canadian carriers to facilitate their continuous travel under unforeseen circumstances. The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) will scrutinize these disruptions to determine if airlines fulfilled their obligations to passengers in Mexico.
According to the CTA, the inquiry may result in notices of violation and financial penalties. The regulator emphasized that the investigation’s timeline depends on its complexity and other factors. Over 61,000 Canadians were reported in Mexico by Global Affairs Canada, a significant increase from 18,000 on the day of the disturbances.
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), airlines must rebook passengers within 48 hours at no cost when faced with uncontrollable events leading to delays or cancellations. In cases where rebooking becomes impossible, major airlines like Flair must arrange alternative flights, even from other airports.
Several Canadian travelers have reported waiting for more than four days to depart Mexico after the incidents last Sunday. Among them is Norma Jean Adzich from Smithers, B.C., who, along with a companion, faced flight cancellations by WestJet. Despite challenges in rebooking, they were rescheduled for a return flight on March 1, raising concerns about the airline’s response.
In a similar predicament, Douglas Connors and Alexandru Sonoc from Ontario, who were vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, had their Flair Airlines flight canceled and were initially rebooked for March 3. The couple questioned Flair’s compliance with APPR and highlighted discrepancies in the rebooking process.
Flair Airlines recently revised information on passenger rights and assistance on their website after removing an option for self-rebooking on alternative flights at no charge. Sonoc and Connors eventually secured flights with Air Canada after unsuccessful attempts with Flair.
As investigations proceed, affected passengers are exploring avenues to address airline compliance issues, with some considering formal complaints to the CTA. Marina Pavlović, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized the CTA’s authority to independently investigate airline-related matters but noted the existing backlog of complaints that may complicate the process.