Thomson Airways has been forced to delay flights to and from Cancun in Mexico due to Hurricane Rina.
Two flights from the UK to the Mexican resort from Gatwick and Manchester today (Thursday) and return services to the two UK airports have been put back by 24 hours. Flights from Cancun to Gatwick and Newcastle tomorrow (Friday) have also been delayed until Saturday
Thomas Cook said its flights were currently operating as planned. The storm could intensify into a category 3 major hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph and is expected to hit the Yucatan Peninsula some time today (Thursday), the US National Hurricane Centre warned.
The Tui UK and Ireland carrier said the decision had been taken “due to the forecast of strong winds caused by Hurricane Rina”. A statement said: “The National Hurricane Advisory Centre is tracking a hurricane off the coast of Mexico. Hurricane Rina is currently a category 2 hurricane.
“Customer safety and wellbeing is the main priority for Thomson and First Choice and we will continue closely monitoring events and weather conditions in the Yucatan Peninsula area and act accordingly,” Tui said.
“Customers planning to travel from the UK to Cancun in the next few days are advised to check the website for the latest information. Customers in resort should check resort notice boards, where updates will be posted as we receive them.”
Most of the estimated 83,000 tourists in the region are attempting to leave. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the hurricane centre warned.
At least eight cruise ships were changing itineraries away from the storm’s path, according to Carnival Cruise Lines A hurricane warning is covering the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from north of Punta Gruesa to Cancun.
The area was badly damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, when Cancun’s white-sand beaches were largely washed away in damage costing $3 billion.
Picture: Hurricane Rina off the coast of Mexico – Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC