Canada’s aviation authority has announced its intention to investigate the recent flight disruptions that occurred in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Canadian airlines suddenly suspended operations to the popular tourist destination following a surge of violence in various parts of Mexico after the death of a prominent cartel leader. Despite the resumption of flights by the carriers, some passengers are still stranded, awaiting repatriation. Canadian airlines are mandated to facilitate the continuation of their customers’ journeys promptly, especially in situations beyond their control.
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) stated that it will conduct an inquiry into these disruptions to ascertain whether the airlines fulfilled their obligations to passengers in Mexico. The investigation will involve collecting evidence to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. The CTA emphasized that its investigations could result in notices of violation and fines. The duration of the investigations will vary based on complexity and other factors.
As of Tuesday, over 61,000 Canadians in Mexico had registered with Global Affairs Canada, a significant increase from 18,000 on the day of the unrest. The Air Passenger Protection Regulations in Canada mandate airlines to rebook passengers within 48 hours at no cost during disruptions beyond the carriers’ control. If rebooking is not feasible, major airlines like Flair must find alternative arrangements for affected passengers, even if it involves using another airline or airport.
Several Canadians have reported delays of four days or more in returning home from Mexico after the recent events. Norma Jean Adzich from Smithers, B.C., and a companion were stranded in Puerto Vallarta after their WestJet flight was canceled. Adzich expressed frustration over the rebooking process, highlighting the challenges they faced in securing new tickets. WestJet eventually rescheduled their return for March 1, a week later than their original departure date.
Similarly, Ontarians Douglas Connors and Alexandru Sonoc, whose Flair Airlines flight was also canceled, were initially rebooked for March 3, not meeting regulatory requirements. After unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with Flair, they booked a flight home with Air Canada independently. The passengers plan to file formal complaints with the CTA regarding their experiences.
The CTA serves as both the regulator and resolver of airline-related complaints. Marina Pavlović, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, noted the CTA’s authority to independently investigate incidents like those in Mexico. However, she highlighted the CTA’s existing backlog of complaints, signaling potential challenges in addressing new cases effectively.
