AIRLINES have been forced to cancel flights across a number of holiday islands popular with Brits this week.
A weather warning has been issued across the Caribbean ahead of Hurricane Beryl with the 130mph winds to be “potentially catastrophic”.
Hurricane Beryl is a category 4 hurricane, the first of it’s kind to be recorded in that intensity this early in the season.
AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva told the BBC: “It’s rare to see a storm rapidly intensify this fast, this early in the season, in this part of the Atlantic.”
The main islands at risk are Barbados, Dominica and Grenada although warnings are in place across other islands.
Most Brits head to the Caribbean islands during the winter months, with the islands’ hurricane season running from June to November.
Read more on cancelled flight
However, a number of UK airlines operate routes to and from the islands all year round.
Barbados Airport has been shut down until further notice, with a curfew imposed in the city from 6pm.
In response, Virgin Atlantic has been forced to cancel a number of flights from the UK, including routes from London Heathrow to Barbados and St Vincent.
And British Airways has been forced to cancel flights from London Gatwick to St Lucia and Georgetown as well as London Heathrow to Barbados.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Due to forecast adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, we are working with airports and partners to minimise disruption but due to the closure of Barbados airport, unfortunately, our Barbados flight which continues on to St Vincent is subject to cancellations.
“We are contacting affected customers regarding their travel arrangements.”
Other airlines such as American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue have also cancelled a number of flights to St Lucia.
More flights could be cancelled later this week, although airlines are yet to issue an update.
The Foreign Office has issued travel warnings for Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.
The website states: “Weather projections forecast a major hurricane to hit the region possibly as early as Sunday, June 30 and into the following week.
“You should follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”
Everything you need to know about hurricanes
A hurricane is another name for a tropical cyclone – a powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters near the equator.
The strongest category of hurricane is category 5, with winds of over 157mph.
The categories are as follows:
- Category one: Wind speeds 74-95mph — very dangerous winds will produce some damage
- Category two: Wind speeds 96-110mph — extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
- Category three: Wind speeds 111-129mph — devastating damage will occur
- Category four: Wind speeds 130-156mph — catastrophic damage will occur
- Category five: Wind speeds 157+mph — areas will be completely razed
Hurricane Irma in 2017 was classified as a category five storm and was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever recorded with sustained winds of over 185mph and gusts of 220mph.
Hurricane Katrina was the single most catastrophic natural disaster in US history, and also a category 5 hurricane.
Meteorologists class the Atlantic hurricane season as running from June 1 to November 30, although intense storms can happen outside these dates.
An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
The US National Hurricane Center warned of “potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds, a life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected.”
Brits who have their flights cancelled will be put on the next available flight, which doesn’t have to be the same airline, or given a full refund.
However, travellers are unlikely to get compensation as bad weather, including hurricanes, are often deemed an “extraordinary circumstance” which isn’t covered.
UK holidaymakers were hit by more flight cancellations last week following a shortage of air traffic controllers.
Both Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers were caught up in the cancellations.
And more than 100 flights have been cancelled between the UK and Dublin this week, following strike action by Aer Lingus.