Hurricane Fiona causes flight delays and cancellations in the Caribbean

Hurricane Fiona is causing flight delays and cancellations across the Caribbean Sea region following its landfall.

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Impact on Puerto Rico

Yesterday, Sunday 18 September, the Category 1 tropical storm knocked out power to most of Puerto Rico and caused damage to the infrastructure and property of the island’s inhabitants.

Several landslides and flooding were reported. As a result, seaports were closed and all operations were suspended at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), which serves San Juan, the capital city of the unincorporated territory.

At midnight, the administration of Puerto Rico’s largest airport published the list of scheduled departures for today. However, their actual performance will depend on weather conditions during the day, so the authorities that manage the terminal’s activity urged passengers to confirm the status of their flights.

⚠️✈️ AVISO IMPORTANTE: Estos son los vuelos de algunas aerolíneas que han confirmado sus salidas para el día de mañana, lunes, 19.

Confirme con su aerolínea el estatus de su vuelo antes de llegar al aeropuerto.? https://t.co/fMqz7JnUcu pic.twitter.com/ydceoRLYGH

— Aeropuerto SJU (@AeropuertoSJU) September 19, 2022

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Autoridad de Puertos de Puerto Rico (Ports Authority) was working this morning to clean up and remove obstacles at Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in the city of Ponce, which was affected by the overflowing of the Inabón River. Meanwhile, the agency reported that operations at Rafael Hernández International Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla will resume as soon as weather conditions allow so.

En Aguadilla (BQN) estamos listos para reanudar operaciones, tan pronto las condiciones lo permitan. Nuestro agradecimiento a todo el personal que labora incansablemente por mantener nuestras instalaciones en funcionamiento. @GovPierluisi @fortalezapr @prdirpuertos pic.twitter.com/s15VCZo76j

— Autoridad de Puertos (@PuertosPR) September 18, 2022

Impact on Dominican Republic

In the last few hours, Hurricane Fiona moved westward and made landfall in the Dominican Republic. A tropical storm watch is in effect for the southern coast of the country. The Dominican Civil Aviation Institute reported that authorities from the aeronautical sector visited Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) to supervise the state of operations. All flights to and from Dominican territory could be affected on Monday.

MINISTERIO DE TURISMO Y SECTOR AERONÁUTICO EN SESIÓN PERMANENTE

Las autoridades del sector visitaron el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana para supervisar las operaciones aéreas y las programaciones de los vuelos. pic.twitter.com/QR7eToQRem

— Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (@IDAC_RD) September 19, 2022

On the other hand, the administration of Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), which serves Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, has already cancelled twenty flights as a precautionary measure. Eleven services scheduled for today remain suspended. Weather forecast predicts an improvement in conditions from 14:00 local time. The evolution of the air operations situation will then depend on weather conditions.

The rest of the region is on alert

Air and sea operations in the British Virgin Islands also suffered cancellations over the weekend.

Antigua and Barbuda-based Islas de Sotavento Transporte Aéreo, known as LIAT, reported the cancellation of several of its scheduled services.

Meanwhile, Turks and Caicos authorities announced the suspension of all flights to and from their airports as of today, in addition to the closure of all seaports.

See also: IATA organized Caribbean Aviation Day highlighting steps to achieve full recovery in the region