CTA to probe recent Puerto Vallarta flight disruptions

Canada’s air travel regulator says it will investigate the recent flight interruptions in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

As reported, Canadian airlines suspended flights to the popular vacation destination last Sunday (Feb. 22) after violent incidents broke out across several regions of Mexico, triggered by government forces killing a high-ranking cartel leader.

Although flights have since restarted, some travellers were still stranded days later, reports say.

Under Canadian regulations, airlines are required to help passengers complete their trips as quickly as possible, including in situations caused by factors beyond the airlines’ control.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) says it will examine the disruptions and assess whether airlines have met their obligations to passengers in Mexico.

"This entails gathering evidence to make sure that airlines met all requirements stipulated in the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to this specific event," the CTA wrote in an emailed statement to CBC News last week.

The CTA says its investigations may result in notices of violation and administrative monetary fines.

READ MORE: Canadian travel advisor living in Mexico calls for "perspective" after Puerto Vallarta scare

The regulator added that investigations of this kind are thorough, and the time required to complete them varies depending on their complexity and other factors.

Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations require airlines to rebook passengers at no extra cost within 48 hours when delays or cancellations happen due to factors beyond the airline’s control.

If rebooking within that timeframe is not possible, large carriers must arrange travel for affected passengers on any available flight, including with another airline or from a different airport, if such options are available.

However, CBC News spoke to several Canadian travellers who say they have been stranded in Mexico for four days or longer following last Sunday’s disruptions.

Global Affairs Canada says the security situation in Jalisco, as well as in the states of Sinaloa—home to Mazatlán—and Quintana Roo, which includes Playa del Carmen and Cancun, has stabilized.

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