Sunwing Airlines flights scheduled for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver are being re-routed on Saturday morning to avoid the path of Hurricane Patricia, which was due to make landfall Friday afternoon or evening.
The Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta was closed earlier Friday.
“Given the situation in the region, we have now decided to re-route these flights tomorrow morning to Los Cabos, Mexico. Revised flight schedules are currently being reconfirmed, however it is expected that all three services will depart between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m.,” said Janine Chapman, vice-president of marketing for Sunwing Travel Group, in an email.
Additional information on the revised scheduling will be posted at www.flysunwing.com as it becomes available.
WestJet flights scheduled for Saturday to Puerto Vallarta from Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg have been cancelled.
Hurricane Patricia is the strongest hurricane on record, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The agency said the hurricane is heading for a “potentially catastrophic” landfall in southwestern Mexico this afternoon or evening. Foreign Affairs is advising Canadians against non-essential travel to the coast of Mexico from San Blas to Lazaro Cardenas.
“We are in the process of contacting passengers affected by the delay and offering them the option to travel with us to Los Cabos tomorrow in order that they can still enjoy a vacation this week,” said Chapman. “Passengers also have the option of cancelling for a full refund or rebooking their vacation later in the year if they do not wish to continue with their travel plans this weekend.”
Sunwing passengers who were due to return to western Canadian destinations from Puerto Vallarta on Friday have been delayed due to the airport closure. Revised arrival times for these services will also be posted at www.flysunwing.com as they are confirmed.
