Scores of flights cancelled due to Hurricane Irma
Scores of flights have been cancelled and regional airports closed as islands batten down ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Irma was upgraded to an extremely dangerous Category Five Hurricane yesterday morning as it bore its way towards the Leeward Islands, clocking winds of up to 180mph.
Irma was projected to impact the Leeward Islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, and the British and US Virgin Islands from last night into today.
Several of these islands issued national shutdowns from midday yesterday with residents making last minute preparations and Antigua shut down the V.C. Bird International Airport ahead of the storm.
As a result of the system, regional airline Liat was forced to cancel 36 flights yesterday between the islands. In addition, 32 of its flights have been cancelled today including: LI 773 from Antigua to Barbados, LI 381 from Antigua to Dominica, LI 381 from Dominica to Barbados, LI 521 from Tortola to St. Kitts, LI 521 from St. Kitts to Antigua, LI 521 from Antigua to Barbados, LI 362 from Barbados to Antigua, LI 310 from St. Lucia to Antigua, LI 300 from Barbados to Tortola, LI 301 from Tortola to Barbados, LI 314 from Antigua to St. Maarten, LI 314 from St. Maarten to Tortola, LI 315 from Tortola to St. Maarten, LI 315 from St. Maarten to St. Kitts, LI 315 from St. Kitts to Antigua, LI 364 from Barbados to Dominica, LI 364 from Dominica to Antigua, LI 312 from Antigua to St. Kitts, LI 312 from St. Kitts to St. Maarten, LI 317 from St. Maarten to Antigua, LI 309 from Antigua to St. Lucia, LI 523 from Antigua to Dominica, LI 523 from Dominica to Barbados, LI 508 from Antigua to St. Kitts, LI 508 from St. Kitts to St. St. Maarten, LI 508 from St. Maarten to Tortola, LI 509 from Tortola to Antigua, LI 524 from Barbados to Dominica, LI 524 from Dominica to Antigua, LI 512 from Barbados to Antigua, LI 512 from Antigua to St. Kitts, LI 512 from St. Kitts to Tortola.
Also Caribbean Airlines has cancelled two flights today including: BW 456 from Port of Spain to St. Maarten and BW 457 from Kingston to St. Maarten.
Meanwhile, British Airways has cancelled flights between Gatwick and Antigua and Tobago yesterday.
“We are doing all we can to get our customers to their final destinations and some customers will be able to re-book with Caribbean Airlines via Port of Spain or with our partner American Airlines via Miami,” said BA, adding, “We are keeping our flights to other Caribbean islands under review, pending the latest information from the airport authorities.”
Virgin Atlantic adjusted yesterday’s flight today from Antigua to Gatwick to include a stop in St Lucia, from where it will continue to London.
All airlines have offered passengers affected by these cancellations free rebooking up to specific dates and urged these individuals to get into contact with their respective airline. (JMB)