Cuba Braces for Hurricane Melissa After It Causes Devastating Damage in Jamaica, With Global Airlines Adjusting Travel Schedules

Cuba braces for Hurricane Melissa after it causes devastating damage in Jamaica, with global airlines adjusting travel schedules. As one of the strongest storms to strike the Caribbean in modern history, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, unleashing fierce winds and heavy rains. The storm, which reached Category 5 status, has left a trail of destruction, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Thousands of travelers are stranded as airports close and flight schedules are severely disrupted. The storm’s path now threatens Cuba, prompting evacuations and airline disruptions across the Caribbean. With the hospitality industry facing significant damage and operations halted in many areas, tourists and travelers are advised to stay informed about their flight statuses, rebooking options, and any emergency measures put in place.
Cuba Prepares for Hurricane Melissa While Jamaica Recovers From Its Damaging Effects and Flights Resume
Cuba is preparing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the biggest hurricane of the season, as it continues to impact Jamaica and the region’s tourist sectors. Melissa is currently the most powerful hurricane to impact Jamaica. Since it made landfall in the country on October 28, it has disrupted the lives of thousands and posed significant challenges to the tourism industry. As powerful hurricanes disrupt the region, travelers should remain updated on canceled flights, travel restrictions, and the overall conditions in the affected areas.
Melissa’s Impact on Jamaica’s Tourism Sector
Hurricane Melissa has severely impacted Jamaica’s tourism industry. As Jamaica’s tourism sector is one of the most crucial for the economy and is often at the center of hurricane destruction, the impact of Melissa has been greatly felt. The devastation is due to Melissa being the 5th category hurricane, the strongest to impact the region this year. The destructive flooding, hurricane winds, and the resulting building damages and blackouts have posed significant challenges to the sector. Major tourist areas of Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios disproportionally bear the brunt of the damages and blackouts due to their dense populations.
With the passing of the storm, Jamaica’s most significant source of foreign exchange, the tourism industry, is facing massive challenges. Jamaica’s tourism becomes most impacted when there is the need to build or repair required infrastructure to support the industry. Jamaica also suffers the loss of the immediate income those tourists would have brought to the country. On the upside, however, the loss of the immediate income is somewhat compensated for by the relatively larger income potential those tourists would spend on the island.
Flying Woes
After the storm, flights going or coming to/from Jamaica were approved to resume after a 48-hour period of waiting in the storm’s relative calm. Jamaica’s 2 international airports (Sangster, Montego Bay & Norman Manley, Kingston) were forced to close. Passengers going to/from those airports have also suffered extended wait times.
Flight cancellations, delays and, consequently, wait times have also extended at several North American and Caribbean airlines. American, Delta, JetBlue, and Air Canada are a few of the several airlines that had to also adjust and/or delay/extend their flights.
For American Airlines alone, more than 50 flights to and from Jamaica were canceled, as well as similar cancellations from Delta Airlines and JetBlue. These passengers might want to verify their flight status and approach the airlines straight for rebooking and other accommodation necessities. Many passengers to Jamaica will have their vacations impacted by the closure of some resorts, but others will be offering partial refunds and alternate lodgings until the resorts are safe to use and the storm has cleared.
Cuba Prepares for Hurricane Melissa’s Arrival
Cuba gets ready to feel the effects of Hurricane Melissa, as the storm moves west. Cuba, located north of Jamaica, is next in the storm’s path and has issued evacuation orders for the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. More than 500,000 have been evacuated as precaution, with additional flight changes to Cuba from several international airlines.
For now, flights from Cuba’s major airports, including Havana’s José Martí International Airport, have been temporarily suspended, with more cancellations expected down the line. Traveling Storms have caused Delta Airlines, Iberia, and Air France to issue rebooking advisories. Unlike travel bans which have been placed on Cuba and other Caribbean islands, Storms have Travel advisories which is less severe. Travel rebooking and travel advisory on and off the island provide little consolation for Caribbean travelers for the travel bans. There are advisories for Cuba and Jamacia and airplane companies are ordered to disclose the status of flights and Travel advisories for the Caribbean islands. The rebooking caused by the storms are said to provide little consolation for travelers. There is a travel ban for Cuba and other Caribbean islands.
Travel bans have affects Jamacia and Cuba. There is a travel management system that captains are ordered to access while boarding. In Jamacia, the resorts which are the centers of the tourism-based economy have been hit the worst. Havens in the tourist rich areas of Montego Bay, Nergil, and Ocho Rios have been badly battered. Many hotels have been left without power throughout the storm due to the devastation of their electrical systems by water and compromised roofs. The touching accounts of the devastation of major hotels on the islands contain details of flooded parts which have been rendered useless, and severe wind damage to external structures.
In Cuba, the expected impacts of the storm are significant and will likely affect the tourism industry for a while. The eastern region of the country has hotels that are likely going to evacuate. In Havana, the storm has already resulted in some tourist attractions being closed, and travel to and from the city has also been restricted. These areas are going to face interruptions to their tourism for a considerable period of time.
Most hotels in both countries are coordinating with local emergency management and law enforcement. Because a number of hotels are closing, travelers are going to have a hard time finding hotels and will likely have to stay in emergency or evacuation shelters. The hotels that are not closing will likely have reduced services, and some hotels will actually charge lower emergency rates.
Travel Tips for Visitors Getting Affected By Hurricane Melissa
When traveling to or from Jamaica / Cuba during Hurricane Melissa, it andlc change is Jamaica or Cuba, or try google for better h. is important to stay well-informed of the latest news andkeep travel advisories in mind. Here are a few pointers for handling the situation post-storm:
- Check Your Flight Status: With cancelled and delayed this is a good time to to airline for status and for flights, and many have been delayed. Usually It is best to call your airline airline for status and ro to steer clear of confusion. In the shade, American, Delta, JetBlue and Air Canada have been helping people with and storm etc.
- Speak with Your Hotel: In Jamaica/Cuba, and about current situation of bookings, and for any and interruptions with cancelled asked to. It is best to call and Resort are and of closing, limited to.
- Get Travel Insurance: Finally, try adding and ensuring travel cover for and time cancel insurance. It is best to try and most any insurance will weather ensure which will closing, and cancel cover. closing, hotel, and help storm eliminate admin evacuation.
- Prepare for Interruptions: Airports are working to restore their infrastructure and manage their operational openings after the storms. After the storms, Airports and hotels will experience longer wait times. If you travel during operational openings, be sure to have alternate travel plans.
- Be Weather Aware: As storms progress, adhere to the regulations stipulated by your local authorities. Cuba and Jamaica have implemented logistical plans to assist locals and persons visiting the island. Be sure to check local news and confirm flight and hotel details to get the most accurate and timely information.
Flight Information to Jamaica and Cuba
For friends planning to head to Jamaica and Cuba, please remember to get your most current flight information from your airline. Below are the details for US carriers to these island nations.
American Airlines: Ms. Melissa has put a hurricane stamp and that will be the name for the affected islands. They are, therefore, trying to be flexible and trying to ease the pressure. They will be able to defend the multiple times a day routes to the islands from major cities in the US.Delta Air Lines: Canceled flights to and from Jamaica and Cuba are being rebooked to Delta’s discretion. Delta also flies every day from Atlanta, New York, and other U.S. locations to Montego Bay and Havana.
JetBlue Airways: JetBlue also lost many flights to the storm and is allowing fee-free travel plan changes. Frequent flights to Jamaica and Cuba go from New York, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale.
Air Canada: Air Canada is also making changes to their flight schedules due to their own Hurricane Melissa. Jamaica and Cuba Air Canada passengers should contact the airline for the latest flights. From Toronto and Montreal, Air Canada flies to both of these destinations.
Cuba braces for Hurricane Melissa after it causes devastating damage in Jamaica, with global airlines adjusting travel schedules. The storm, one of the strongest in modern history, has severely impacted tourism and flights across the Caribbean.
Wrapping up
Due to the devastation to tourism and hospitality, Hurricane Melissa’s effects on Jamaica and Cuba are profound. Adjusted airline schedules and plentiful flight delays and cancellations represent the storm’s effects on Caribbean travel. Travelers to these destinations must stay informed to avoid surprises and be flexible to the changes from the airline, hotels, and government.
While recovery efforts take place, travelers in Jamaica or Cuba must be patient and adapt to the unexpected. Given that the full impact of the storm is still taking place, keep in mind that travel disruptions may happen in the following days. Always prioritize safety and stay informed. Make sure to find the most up-to-date information before travel to avoid inconveniences.
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