Additional fines and even jail time could follow if passengers on the Sunwing Airlines flight were found to be endangering others, according to Canadian media.

One of the passengers, Rebecca St-Pierre, 19, said she had since tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating in Tulum, south of Cancun. She estimated about 30 other travellers on the flight have also tested positive.

She told the Canadian Press that she won the trip on Instagram and expected a “relaxing week” but was now unsure how to pay for her hotel room with the unexpected extension to her trip.

The flight on December 30 from Montreal to the Mexican resort town of Cancun was chartered by the 111 Private Club, according to Canadian broadcaster CBC.

James William Awad, who operates the company, said he “committed to hosting a private and safe event in Cancun” but added “I understand why many fellow citizens are upset about the current situation”.

Mr Awad said Sunwing had “cancelled our [return] flight based on presumptions, and thus other companies followed their steps”.

He added that his 111 private club is working tirelessly to return all the passengers to Canada as quickly as possible.

Addressing the situation on Friday, Mr Trudeau said:”It’s a slap in the face to see people putting themselves, their fellow citizens and airline workers at risk by being completely irresponsible”.

The airline regulator Transport Canada said it was investigating the incident.