Government charters flights to evacuate holidaymakers from hurricane-hit Jamaica 

A “limited number” of flights have been chartered by the government to evacuate British tourists stranded in Jamaica in the wake of catastrophic Hurricane Melissa.

 

The move to bolster commercial airline capacity came as passenger operations resumed from Norman Manley International airport in Kingston and Ian Fleming International airport near Ocho Rios. 

 

Sangster International airport serving Montego Bay is expected to reopen for limited commercial flights from today (Friday).

 

Tui is “working hard” to organise flights home from Sangster airport and will confirm the next available flight schedule “as soon as possible”.  

 

The operator added: “We also have teams assessing the roads and local infrastructure to ensure it is safe to transport customers once the airport reopens.”

 

However, Tui has cancelled all package holidays to Jamaica until November 9, including 10 flights from UK airports from today.

 

Virgin Atlantic is flying a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Miami in the hope of operating the first relief flight from Jamaica this weekend after applying for permits to use Norman Manley airport.

 

The airline said: "We expect to operate initial departures from Kingston airport from Saturday, subject to the necessary approvals. This will be confirmed to customers by Friday afternoon.”  

 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “The UK is in close contact with travel companies who are working to restore flights for holidaymakers and British nationals. 

 

“In addition, the FCDO has chartered a limited number of flights from Jamaica for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island.”

 

A registration form has been created to enable British holidaymakers on the island to provide their details and interest in flights. They will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to a booking portal once airports are open, according to the FCDO. 

 

An estimated 8,000 tourists from the UK are among foreign holidaymakers stuck in Jamaica following the hurricane.

 

The FCDO said: “Travellers should contact their airline or travel provider in the first instance to see if commercial options are available, and if they have already booked a flight home to confirm if it is still operating.

 

“The FCDO will directly contact those who are allocated a seat on the flight and British nationals should not make their way to the airport unless they are contacted.

 

“British nationals who have already registered via the Register Your Presence portal will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal. 

 

“If you are a British national in Jamaica wanting to leave on a flight and have not already registered your presence, you should do so immediately.

 

“We will prioritise those who are most vulnerable, for example those with medical needs and children, in allocating seats on the flight. The cost of a seat will be based on standard commercial rates.”

 

Two specialist rapid deployment teams are travelling to Jamaica to facilitate the charter flights and provide consular assistance to British nationals.  

 

In the aftermath of a hurricane, power, communications and water supplies can be disrupted, the FCDO  cautioned. 

 

“If your hotel is unable to provide accommodation, you should get in contact with other hotels in the area to see if they have capacity,” the latest travel advisory said. 

 

“The Jamaican government have published a list of shelters which may be able to give a level of accommodation or signpost you to relevant safe places."

 

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days will have been.

 

“The UK government is chartering flights to bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible.”