Foreign Affairs Canada advises against non-essential travel to Mexico.

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OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Mexico, due to an outbreak of human swine influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is tracking an outbreak of human swine influenza (flu) with deaths in Mexico. Since March 18, 2009, clusters of cases have been reported in multiple regions in Mexico. Most of the cases involve previously healthy young adults between 25 and 44 years old. Some health care workers have also been affected. Mexico is currently experiencing a late influenza season that began in early March 2009.

Canadians already in Mexico should monitor local news bulletins and follow the advice of local authorities. Travellers should also contact their airline, tour operator or travel agent to verify travel plans.

The PHAC recommends that travellers follow the same precautionary measures as with seasonal influenza. These include receiving a seasonal flu vaccine, washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. Canadians who have recently travelled to Mexico and who develop symptoms of influenza or severe respiratory illness, especially high fever are advised to seek medical attention immediately.For more information, please see the PHAC Travel Health Warning and information page on human swine influenza.

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The following policy will apply to all Sunquest Vacations Mexico bookings between April 28 and June 4:


For those passengers departing from now to June 4, 2009 (inclusive):

• You may change your booking to any other Sunquest destination, including the ALBATours Italy program, for travel anytime up to Oct. 31, 2009;
• You can cancel your booking and receive a travel credit for the amount, which must be used before Oct. 31, 2009 to any destination Sunquest or ALBATours offers;
• You must pay any price difference if the cost is higher;
• There will be no refund for any difference in rates if the cost is lower;
• Travel must be commenced by the end of October 31, 2009;
• These changes must be made through our call centres

We recommend that customers also check with their travel insurers, as you may have coverage for this type of incident.

We will continue to monitor this situation and will keep you advised. We would ask those who are travelling on later departure dates to be patient as this situation evolves.

Please note, we will continue to operate our flights to collect all passengers currently in Mexico. We will advise if there are any changes by our airline partners.

Thank you,
Sunquest

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Following the outbreak of human swine influenza in parts of Mexico, WestJet and WestJet Vacations guests travelling to and from Mexico between April 28 and May 8, 2009, may change or cancel the air portion of their travel arrangements at no charge, and travel at a future date.

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Air Canada

MONTRÉAL, April 27, 2009 -- Due to an outbreak of influenza in parts of Mexico, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations are providing the following information for customers with plans to travel to/from Mexico:

Air Canada is waiving change fees for customers with reservations for travel to/from all destinations in Mexico up to May 6th, 2009, in order to facilitate changes to travel plans and allow for travel at a later date.


Air Canada Vacations

Passengers with reservations for travel to Mexico from Canada between April 28, 2009 and May 6, 2009 can choose to rebook their holiday with no change fees.

Changes must be made by May 6, 2009 and travel must be completed by October 31, 2009. Travel can be to any destination or resort offered by Air Canada Vacations and customers are responsible for any price differential resulting from the selection of a higher-priced alternative.

Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further travel updates as developments occur.

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Transat Holidays & Nolitours

Travellers scheduled to fly to Mexico from Canada between now and May 11 and who wish to change their travel plans may do so, with no additional service charges, in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Travel on later date: The trip must be completed on or before October 31, 2009. If the price of the new package is higher than that of the trip originally planned, the passenger must cover the difference in price.

2. Travel to another destination: travellers who wish to travel to a different destination can do so by selecting another destination offered by Air Transat, Nolitours or Transat Holidays. The trip must be completed on or before October 1, 2009. If the price of he new package is higher than that of the trip originally planned, the passenger must cover the difference in price.

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Signature Vacations

Customers departing to Mexico from now until May 11th have the following options:

1. Change dates or destination to another available departure from now until October 31st. Please note that customers will be required to pay the difference if the new applicable price is higher than the original.
2. Cancel and incur the applicable penalties as per their terms and conditions.

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Sunwing

Sunwing’s policy is that any passenger due to travel with them to Mexico departing between April 28 and May 11 may change without change fee to any other available Sunwing flight to destinations outside Mexico. In the event their selection is more expensive, passengers will be responsible for paying the difference; howevr, if they select a less expensive holiday, refund of differential will not apply. Sunwing says that this applies to all travel completed by May 31.

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We would like to publically congratulate WestJet and WestJet Vacations for refunding customers for travel purchases affected by the Swine Flu outbreak in Mexico. WestJet so far is the only company to offer refunds and has definately set the example for all tour operators to follow.

Cheap Tickets Canada.com has proactively requested that all other Tour Operators with flights to Mexico, refund their passengers rather than offer a travel credit.