As Hurricane Melissa barrels through the Caribbean, having reached a formidable Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale this past Sunday, October 26th, it is significantly impacting regional air travel and poses a threat to flights bound for Cuba. The powerful storm is expected to approach the eastern part of the island nation in the coming hours.
According to aviation news platform Aviacionline, regional carriers such as InterCaribbean Airways and Cayman Airways were quick to announce cancellations and itinerary changes. InterCaribbean has halted several key routes between Saturday, October 25th, and Monday, October 27th, including flights linking Santiago de Cuba and Kingston, as well as routes between Providenciales, Bridgetown, and the Jamaican capital.
The airline has informed that passengers on flight JY251 (Kingston–Providenciales) on Sunday, October 26th, can be rebooked on JY613, which is scheduled to depart this Saturday from Kingston with a stopover in Santiago de Cuba.
Simultaneously, Cayman Airways declared it would allow date changes without penalties for travelers with tickets disrupted by the storm, aiming to alleviate the impact on hundreds of passengers transiting the region.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan airline Conviasa has temporarily suspended its flights to Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua until October 28th due to the presence of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean Sea, as reported by the company on its official Instagram account, cited by Noticias Venevisión. The airline stated it will continue “assessing the weather situation to ensure flight safety” and will announce new rescheduling dates soon.
On a broader scale, major North American airlines are also adjusting their operations. Bloomberg Línea reports that Air Canada and Air Transat have added additional flights, while American Airlines has increased its capacity at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, to facilitate traveler departures before the weather worsens. Conversely, JetBlue, Southwest, and Caribbean Airlines have canceled flights scheduled between Sunday and Tuesday.
The aviation landscape is further complicated by airport closures in Jamaica. The Miami Herald reported that Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport ceased operations on Saturday night, with Montego Bay’s Sangster expected to follow suit shortly. Local authorities have stated that the terminals will remain closed until the threat has passed.
In Cuba, meteorological authorities are closely monitoring the hurricane’s path, which could bring heavy rains, storm surges, and strong winds to the island's eastern and central regions. Although no additional flight cancellations have been announced for the national territory, Cuban airports are on high alert for potential disruptions in the coming days.
On the island, eastern airports potentially affected by the hurricane include Frank País (Holguín), Antonio Maceo (Santiago de Cuba), Sierra Maestra (Manzanillo, Granma), and Gustavo Rizo (Baracoa, Guantánamo). Depending on Melissa’s trajectory, Ignacio Agramonte (Camagüey) could also be impacted. Intense rainfall, gusty winds, and coastal flooding are anticipated, potentially causing temporary flight suspensions or preventive closures.
Hurricane Melissa's Impact on Air Travel in the Caribbean
How is Hurricane Melissa affecting flights to Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa is causing airlines to cancel or alter flights, particularly affecting routes to and from Cuba, as the storm approaches the island's eastern regions.
Which airlines have adjusted their schedules due to the hurricane?
InterCaribbean Airways, Cayman Airways, and Conviasa are among those that have suspended flights or allowed rebooking, while major carriers like American Airlines, Air Canada, and Air Transat have adjusted their operations.
What measures are in place for affected passengers?
Airlines are permitting date changes without fees and offering rebooking options to minimize the impact on passengers affected by the hurricane's disruption.