Air Canada reduces winter 2025–26 flights to Tulum, canceling routes from Ottawa and Quebec City and cutting Montreal service, as demand falls short of expectations at Mexico’s newest airport.
Air Canada has announced significant reductions to its winter 2025–26 flight schedule to Tulum International Airport (TQO), citing lower-than-expected demand and overcapacity at the recently inaugurated facility. The airline will cancel its seasonal routes from Ottawa and Quebec City to Tulum and reduce the frequency of flights from Montreal, while maintaining service from Toronto.
The decision comes less than two years after Tulum International Airport opened in December 2023, aiming to provide a closer alternative to Cancún for travelers to the Riviera Maya. However, the anticipated surge in tourism has not materialized, leading to a reevaluation by airlines.
Air Canada’s Montreal–Tulum route will decrease from five to three weekly flights during the winter season. The Toronto–Tulum service will continue with four weekly flights.
Industry analysts attribute the pullback to an overestimation of demand and increased competition. Air Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Galardo, acknowledged the need to “pare back a little bit of our service” in Tulum and focus more on Cancún, which continues to perform well for the airline.
Tulum International Airport’s scheduled capacity is projected to decrease by approximately 23% in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, reflecting a broader trend among carriers reassessing their operations in the region.
The adjustments underscore the challenges of aligning infrastructure expansion with actual travel demand. While Tulum remains a popular destination, the airline industry is recalibrating its strategies to ensure sustainable operations in the face of fluctuating market dynamics.
