Tui holidaymakers stuck in hurricane-hit Jamaica told flights home ‘delayed for a few days’

Tui holidaymakers left in Jamaica due to airport closures as Hurricane Melissa hit have been told flights home will be delayed “for a few days”.

 

The hurricane is heading north towards Cuba after causing devastation to Jamaica with 185mph winds as the strongest storm to hit the country in modern times on Tuesday.

 

As many as 8,000 British tourists are reported to have been in Jamaica when Melissa hit as a category five storm, leaving a trail of destruction due to high winds, heavy rain, flooding and power cuts. 

 

The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said late last night: “Although Melissa is pulling away from the island deadly hazards remain including downed power lines and flooded areas.”

 

The closure of Sangster International airport in Montego Bay forced Tui to cancel a number of package holiday flights including two from Manchester and one each from Gatwick and Birmingham.

 

The operator plans to resume flights from tomorrow (Thursday) “but this could change at short notice as the situation develops and we cannot guarantee what the conditions will be like in destination when you’re due to travel”.

 

Tui has flights scheduled from Gatwick on October 30 and 31, followed by departures from Birmingham on November 1 and Manchester on November 2.

 

“Our teams are working hard to assess the situation and any potential changes to the flight programme and we’ll be in direct contact with customers with any updates as soon as we can,” the company added.  

 

The operator told holidaymakers on the island: “We understand this is an unsettling time and ask that customers currently in Jamaica continue to follow the advice of local authorities and their resort teams. 

 

“For your safety, we remind you to stay indoors and follow shelter-in-place instructions. We are doing everything we can to support you and get you home safely.

 

“Due to the temporary closure of Sangster International airport, your flight home will be delayed by a few days. 

 

“Our teams will continue to monitor the evolving situation and work to confirm the next available flight schedule as soon as possible. We’ll be in touch as soon as we have more details, including your revised departure and coach pick-up times.

 

“In the meantime, our local teams have already extended your hotel accommodation and are on hand to support you.”

 

Tui has offered to reimburse all “reasonable accommodation, transport and meal costs” for holidaymakers on flight-only arrangements stuck in Jamaica due to the hurricane.

 

“We kindly ask that you to speak to your hotel or accommodation provider to extend your stay,” the company said. “We want to reassure our customers that their safety and wellbeing remains our absolute top priority. 

 

“Our teams will continue to monitor the evolving situation and work to confirm the next available flight schedule as soon as possible.”

 

Tui told customers on cancelled flights: “This is a constantly evolving situation and while we’re doing everything we can to keep you informed, tropical storms are unpredictable and we cannot guarantee what the conditions will be like in destination or your hotel when you’re due to travel.”

 

The operator of Sangster International airport said: “Following the passage of the hurricane, a comprehensive assessment of the airport will be conducted to determine when it is safe to resume operations. 

 

“Updates will be communicated promptly. When the airport reopens, passengers are asked to confirm their flight status with their airlines before travelling to the airport.”

 

A full assessment of Melissa’s impact on Jamaica remains unclear but videos published by the BBC have shown flooded streets in the capital of Kingston.

 

The UK government is preparing to deliver humanitarian assistance to affected areas, with a focus on meeting the immediate needs of the most vulnerable.

 

Specialist rapid deployment teams are being positioned in the region “to bolster the effort of British consular officials” and provide consular assistance to British nationals.

 

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Many people will be thinking about family and friends in Jamaica in the face of this very serious storm. 

 

“We are closely tracking the impact of Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. British nationals should follow our travel advice and the advice of the local authorities.

 

“We offer the UK’s full support and stand ready to mobilise resources to support British nationals and Jamaica, at its request.”

 

Meanwhile, a $1 million donation towards hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica has been made by a foundation including Carnival Corporation and the cruise giant’s chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine.

 

The money to humanitarian aid organisation Direct Relief, whose  chief executive Amy Weaver said: “This support builds on the Arison family’s longstanding commitment to Direct Relief’s mission and accelerates urgently needed medical assistance for communities in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall. 

 

“It will put medicines, supplies and clinical support into the hands of local health workers right away - delivering immediate relief today and strengthening the capacity of health systems to recover and withstand future storms.”

 

Carnival Corporation chief executive Josh Weinstein said: “We’re sending thoughts of comfort and strength to our friends in Jamaica, whose warmth and hospitality have created unforgettable experiences for so many of our guests and crew. 

 

“Our connection to Jamaica runs deep, and we need to support its communities now more than ever. Donating to Direct Relief will help fund vital assistance to individuals and families whose lives have been upended by this devastating storm.”