Key Takeaways
• WestJet adds new Canadian flights to Tulum this winter, while United Airlines and Air Canada scale back service.
• Actual passenger numbers did not meet airlines’ expectations, causing route reductions from major U.S. and Canadian cities.
• WestJet offers vacation packages with 30 local hotels, hoping to attract Canadians despite broader tourism industry challenges.
Major airlines are making changes to their winter flight plans for Tulum, the newest international airport in Mexico 🇲🇽, after hopes for booming tourism growth have not matched reality. While WestJet is marking a new chapter with fresh flights from Canada 🇨🇦 to Tulum, other big carriers like United Airlines and Air Canada are pulling back, showing that things are not as straightforward in the region as many thought.
Tulum’s Airport: High Hopes Meet Reality
When Tulum International Airport opened in December 2023, it was met with cheers from both airlines and travelers. The airport was billed as Latin America’s next big success story, with airlines racing to add flights, eager to tap into strong demand for Mexico 🇲🇽 as a top vacation spot. Operators expected both Americans and Canadians to flock to the beaches and resorts lining Tulum’s coast.
However, less than a year after the launch, the picture is changing. As reported by VisaVerge.com, not all those new flights have filled up as expected. Transportation insiders say the fixes by airlines are not minor—this is a real shift in how they see Tulum’s place in their networks.
WestJet Pushes Forward as Others Pull Back
In November 2024, WestJet began a new round of flights to Tulum from two major Canadian 🇨🇦 cities. The airline now offers a weekly flight from Calgary and three weekly flights from Toronto. These flights are scheduled to run until April 27, 2025, covering the critical winter travel season, when Canadians look to escape cold weather.
This push makes WestJet the second Canadian airline to launch flights to Tulum after Air Canada’s start in May 2024. To make vacations easier for travelers, WestJet is not just selling flights—they have teamed up with 30 well-known hotels near Tulum’s airport. By offering flight-inclusive vacation packages, WestJet hopes to make Tulum more attractive to Canadians seeking winter sun.
But while WestJet moves forward, other airlines are changing their plans. United Airlines, for example, has reduced its Tulum services much earlier than originally planned. United Airlines has cut direct flights from both Denver and Chicago O’Hare, two major U.S. travel hubs, while continuing its operations from Newark and Houston. This means fewer easy ways to get from parts of the United States 🇺🇸 to Tulum, at least for now.
Air Canada is making similar cuts, according to recent reports. Industry watchers call these changes a “dramatic shift” following the airport’s big launch just months ago.
Why Are Airlines Scaling Back?
Several reasons explain why airlines like United Airlines and Air Canada are reducing their Tulum presence, even as WestJet sticks with its schedule.
1. Mismatch Between Forecasts and Reality
Before the airport opened, airlines and tourism experts expected a strong, constant wave of travelers to Tulum. This optimism led different carriers to quickly add new routes, creating stiff competition and, as it turns out, too many seats for too few travelers. Actual passenger numbers have not reached levels originally predicted for Tulum flights. The result: flights often go out less than full, forcing airlines to cut back.
2. Changing Tourist Tastes
Mexico 🇲🇽 remains a favorite for North American tourists, but travel groups are now seeing people branch out. According to Apple Leisure Group, travel from North America to Cancun and the Riviera Maya, which includes Tulum, fell by 14-16% this year. In contrast, areas like Jamaica 🇯🇲, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴, and Costa Rica 🇨🇷 are drawing more visitors, with 12-25% increases reported. Travelers may be looking for new experiences after years of returning to the same Mexican resorts or reacting to news and warnings about Mexican destinations.
3. Cancun’s Strong Pull
Part of the challenge for Tulum is right next door. Cancun’s airport is bigger, with more flights, well-established ground transport, and a wide choice of hotels. For many travelers, Cancun is still the easiest entry point to Mexico’s Caribbean coast, despite Tulum’s efforts to lure them directly.
4. Wider Problems Facing Mexican Tourism
Mexico’s tourism industry faces more than just shifting airline plans:
- Safety Concerns: The U.S. State Department has issued travel advisories for parts of Mexico 🇲🇽, including some near Tulum, due to crime and other risks.
- Beach Problems: Many beaches in the area have faced severe seaweed problems, making them less inviting to tourists who dream of clean, white sand.
- Hotel Overbuilding: Faced with years of strong demand, hotels raced to build more rooms. Now, there are fears that there are too many hotel rooms for the number of vacationers showing up.
- Marketing Confusion: The Mexican government shut down the Mexico Tourism Board, a group that promoted the country’s destinations abroad. Some say this changed how well places like Tulum are marketed to international travelers.
These challenges have given airlines more reason to reconsider their investments in new routes, especially in places that might not deliver the returns they want.
The Industry’s Mixed Approaches: A Closer Look
While Air Canada and United Airlines shrink their Tulum operations, WestJet sticks to its plan. Each airline’s response reveals how companies assess risk, opportunity, and the realities on the ground. Here’s what these decisions can mean for travelers, local workers, and tourism businesses.
For Canadian and American Travelers
Travelers who hoped for more flight choices into Tulum may see fewer options, especially from cities like Denver and Chicago. Instead of a direct flight, many will now have to make connections or fly through Cancun, which could add cost or travel time. Those flying from Canada 🇨🇦 with WestJet or Air Canada still have some choices, at least through April.
The upside for Canadians with flexible schedules: reduced interest from major U.S. airlines could mean better availability or lower prices on WestJet routes, especially in the package holiday market.
For Tulum’s Local Workers and Businesses
Tourism is a key employer in Tulum. Fewer flights may mean fewer guests at hotels, less demand for transport and tours, and lower spending in restaurants, shops, and other local businesses. On the other hand, WestJet’s active marketing and vacation packages can help fill some of those gaps, at least with Canadian 🇨🇦 winter travelers.
For Mexico’s Tourism Industry
Tulum’s quick rise and slow-down reflect broader trends in Mexican tourism. The combination of seaweed, hotel overbuilding, changing travel patterns, and shifting airline strategies shows how connected these parts of the economy are. When one area changes—such as airlines dropping routes—the ripple effects are felt across hotels, restaurants, and local communities.
Are There Any Bright Spots?
Though the situation sounds worrying, not all the news is bad. According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico 🇲🇽 as a whole could still see growth in 2025, with 5% more tourists expected and as many as 3 million arrivals by the end of March 2025. This suggests that while some places and airlines might struggle, overall interest remains strong.
WestJet’s continued presence at Tulum shows that some companies still believe in the appeal of the region. For now, the airline will run flights through April 2025. By working with local hotels, WestJet gives Canadians easy ways to book full-vacation packages. This is good for travelers who like convenience, and it helps local hotels keep beds filled, even when other airlines have flown away.
Furthermore, for travelers looking to book a flight, or to check current flight schedules and official information about flights from Canada to Tulum, the WestJet official flights page provides detailed, updated details.
How Will This Affect the Future?
Airlines often review their schedules many times each year. If demand picks up, it’s possible that United Airlines, Air Canada, or others could restore lost flights for future winter seasons, especially if economic or safety conditions improve, or if new marketing by Mexican authorities draws in more travelers.
On the flip side, continued weak demand or ongoing problems could mean the cutbacks become permanent, or even deepen. For now, carriers are watching their routes closely and will adjust as needed.
What Can Travelers Do?
If you are planning a trip to Tulum—or elsewhere on Mexico’s southern coast—here are some tips and things to keep in mind:
- Shop Early: With fewer flights, booking ahead can help you secure better prices and flight options.
- Consider Packages: WestJet’s packages pair flights with hotels, making things smooth for those wanting an easy escape from the Canadian 🇨🇦 winter.
- Watch for Changes: Flight schedules can change quickly, especially in a market adjusting to new realities. Double-check details as your departure date nears.
- Plan Alternate Routes: If flights into Tulum are limited, Cancun is still a strong backup with regular ground transportation options to Tulum and beyond.
Conclusion: An Evolving Story
The winding road for Tulum’s airport—and the airlines that serve it—shows how tourism trends can change rapidly, especially when new infrastructure is brought online and expectations are high. WestJet’s commitment gives travelers ongoing options, but the cuts from United Airlines and Air Canada are a warning that growth is not always steady.
Local businesses, workers, and communities around Tulum are watching these changes closely. Whether Tulum becomes a mainstay for North American winter travelers, or struggles to keep airline service, will depend on many moving pieces: traveler preferences, safety and environmental issues, government actions, and how smartly airlines like WestJet and United Airlines respond.
For now, the future of Tulum as a direct gateway for Canadian and U.S. tourists remains uncertain, but also full of possibility. The coming year will reveal whether the region—and its airline partners—can adjust to new patterns and keep Tulum firmly on the list of top winter escapes.
For more official information on international travel advisories and updates about Mexico 🇲🇽, travelers can check the U.S. Department of State’s Mexico travel page.
As the story develops, travelers are encouraged to stay tuned, keep flexible, and remember that the travel world is always on the move—sometimes in ways even the experts do not expect.
Learn Today
Tourism Board → A government agency that promotes travel and tourism to a specific region, often through marketing and outreach campaigns.
Travel Advisory → An official notice issued by a government, warning about potential travel risks such as safety or health in certain regions.
Vacation Package → A bundled offer including flights, hotels, and sometimes activities, designed to provide travelers with convenience and savings.
Overbuilding → Construction of more buildings or hotels than the local market needs, often resulting in unoccupied rooms or reduced profitability.
Connectivity → The ease with which travelers can reach a destination, considering factors like direct flights, ground transport, and overall accessibility.
This Article in a Nutshell
Tulum’s new airport opened with big dreams but reality has grounded some plans. WestJet expands Canadian flights and vacation packages, yet United Airlines and Air Canada cut routes due to lower demand. Tourists and local businesses watch closely as airline decisions shape Tulum’s future in Mexico’s competitive tourism market.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• American Airlines adds new Puerto Escondido route to expand service
• United Pilot Accused of Attacking Passenger Over Bathroom Delay
• Fewer Canadians Booking Trips to the U.S., Down 40 Percent
• U.S. Embassy Cautions Spring Break Travelers Heading to Mexico
