Air travel is finally resuming from the violence-hit Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta, ending a three-day grounding that left tens of thousands of American and Canadian tourists stranded. The disruption followed widespread criminal gang violence that erupted across Mexico after the killing of a notorious drug cartel leader.
Violence Flares After Cartel Leader's Death
The chaos began when Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho," was killed during an operation by the Mexican military. In retaliation, criminal gangs went on the rampage, leading authorities to ground all flights to and from both Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara for safety reasons.
Tourists Stranded as Services Halted
With flights cancelled, thousands of visitors found themselves unable to return home from the popular Pacific coast destination. The situation created significant logistical challenges for both tourists and travel operators throughout the region.
Airlines Gradually Restart Operations
Air Canada has announced it will resume full operations from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta starting Tuesday 24 February 2026. The airline is deploying larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on some routes to provide 258 additional seats and help clear the backlog of stranded passengers.
"To help get customers home as soon as possible, we're flying larger Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Toronto and Montreal to Puerto Vallarta," the airline stated in an official announcement.
Operations from Toronto to Guadalajara will resume on 25 February. Air Canada has advised passengers not to proceed to airports unless they have received positive confirmation that their rescheduled flights are operating.
Flexible Rebooking Policies Implemented
The Canadian carrier has introduced a flexible rebooking policy for travellers with bookings to the two Mexican airports before the end of the month. This measure aims to accommodate those affected by the unprecedented disruption to normal flight schedules.
Situation Gradually Stabilising
David Nichols, product manager at Journey Latin America, one of the UK's leading specialists in the region, reported that the situation is beginning to settle. "We are encouraged to see the situation beginning to settle throughout the country," he stated.
"Our priority is always to make sure our clients are safe: Mexico is a vast country, and most of the places that our clients travel – including archaeological sites, colonial towns and extraordinary natural landscapes – remain unaffected," Nichols added.
The travel company confirmed that public transport services are resuming in affected areas, and they do not have travellers in locations added to the Foreign Office's "no-go" list following the recent violence.
World Cup Preparations Continue
The developments come as Guadalajara prepares to host matches during the 2026 World Cup. FIFA has confirmed it is "closely monitoring" the situation in the city ahead of the planned first match scheduled for 11 June.
While the immediate crisis appears to be easing, the incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in certain parts of Mexico and their potential impact on the country's vital tourism industry.
