Yucatan Preps for Winter Season With More Flights From Canada

Mérida, Yucatán — Yucatan is preparing for the winter travel season with a slate of new and returning nonstop flights from Canada, one of the state’s strategic tourism markets, in a push to widen international air connections through early 2027.

The seasonal routes, operated by WestJet and Air Canada, will link Mérida with Toronto and Calgary, giving Canadian travelers more options for reaching the state during its busiest months. The state Tourism Promotion Department (Sefotur), headed by Darío Flota Ocampo, is leading the effort to attract more airlines and expand international service under the administration of Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena.

Canada and the United States together account for nearly half of all international visitors to Yucatan. According to the state’s Tourism Market Intelligence System (Simty), North America represents 49.7% of recorded international tourist origins, with the United States at 40.2% and Canada at 9.5%.

WestJet returns to the Mérida–Toronto route

WestJet will resume direct service between Mérida and Toronto from Oct. 25 through April 22, 2027. The airline will offer three weekly flights in October, November, December and April, increasing to four weekly frequencies in January, February and March. The route will use aircraft configured for 174 passengers.

Air Canada launches Toronto service

Air Canada will begin nonstop flights between Toronto and Mérida on Nov. 21, with service scheduled through April 12, 2027. The route will operate twice a week, with a flight time of roughly four hours, using aircraft with 137 seats.

Calgary connection added

WestJet will also launch a seasonal Calgary–Mérida route from Dec. 17 through April 1, 2027, with one weekly arrival flight and 174 seats available per departure. The service extends Yucatan’s reach into western Canada.

The seasonal flights will supplement year-round international routes connecting Mérida with Miami, Dallas, Houston and Orlando. Officials said the added capacity helps diversify source markets, gives travelers more options and strengthens Yucatan’s presence across North America.

The winter schedule is expected to lift tourism activity in the final quarter of 2026 and sustain momentum into the first months of 2027. Direct flights make trip planning easier and are expected to generate more spending at hotels, restaurants, tour operators, shops and other businesses tied to the tourism supply chain.