Some Air Canada passengers miss customs at Ottawa Airport after flight from Mexico

Air Canada's check-in counters at the Ottawa International Airport on Aug. 13, 2025. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)

Ten Air Canada passengers entered Canada without clearing customs after arriving at the Ottawa International Airport on a flight from Mexico last weekend.

Air Canada Flight 1413 arrived in Ottawa from Cancun, Mexico, just before 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Air Canada tells CTV News Ottawa that passengers on the flight “were inadvertently misdirected when leaving the aircraft” at the gate and were not directed to the Canada Border Services Agency’s Primary Inspection Line Hall at the Ottawa Airport.

“Immediately upon the error being discovered, Air Canada contacted Canada Borders Services Agency to make it aware of the situation and the customers were redirected towards the customs hall,” an Air Canada spokesperson said in a statement.

“A small number of customers were not properly processed by customs and Air Canada is working to ensure they are contacted.”

Air Canada says travellers are advised to contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with any questions.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Saturday, the Canada Border Services Agency said 10 passengers on the flight from Cancun left the airport without reporting to the CBSA.

“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can confirm that on January 11, 2026 at Ottawa International Airport, a group of passengers arriving on an international flight were not directed to the customs controlled area at the CBSA Primary Inspection Line Hall as required,” CBSA said in an email.

“The majority of the passengers were located and brought to the CBSA for processing; however, 10 passengers left the airport without reporting to the CBSA. Passenger names were shared by the airline with CBSA operations; which completed admissibility and security checks and is following up with each traveller to finalize the necessary processing requirements.”

The CBSA notes the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act require airlines to “present their passengers to the CBSA for examination upon arrival to Canada.”

“Failure to do so is a serious contravention which may incur significant penalties.”