Hurricane Beryl: Flights to Vancouver cancelled by storm

Travellers flying between Greater Vancouver airports and the Caribbean are facing more than just the aftermath of this week’s WestJet strike.

Hurricane Beryl sped across open waters Tuesday (July 2) as a powerful Category 4 storm headed toward Jamaica after making landfall earlier in the southeastern Caribbean, killing at least six people.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues hurricane warnings for the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.

While Beryl has lost some of its strength on Tuesday, “life-threatening winds” are expected in Jamaica on Wednesday. Officials have warned residents in flood-prone areas to prepare to evacuate, as storm surges of 1.5 to 2.5 metres above normal tide levels and heavy rain are likely.

After the hurricane passes near or over Jamaica, it is expected to approach the Cayman Islands on Thursday and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday, the NHC said.

On Monday, Beryl became the first storm to strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, fueled by record warm waters. It was downgraded one notch Tuesday to Category 4, effective Tuesday.

What should I do if my flight to or from Vancouver may be affected by Hurricane Beryl?

Canada’s major airlines have flexible change and cancellation policies for travellers booked on flights affected by Hurricane Beryl.

Travellers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) should check local weather conditions at their destination before travelling to the airport. They should also check airport conditions in locations along their route to their destination to see how they may affect their travel.

Local passengers must also purchase travel insurance that covers trip interruption, trip cancellation, medical treatment over $5 million, and baggage loss and delay. Passengers are advised to read the fine print of their insurance policy carefully.

WestJet Hurricane Policies

WestJet has reinstated its tropical storm and hurricane protection promise for guests affected by Hurricane Beryl. Those travelling to Kingston or Montego Bay, Jamaica between July 2 and 4 and to Cancun, Mexico between July 3 and 5 can take advantage of the airline’s flexible change policies.

Hurricane and tropical storm travel advisories are issued based on information provided by the Canadian Hurricane Center or the National Hurricane Center (U.S.).

WestJet will allow you to take one of several options if you haven’t yet left on your trip:

Cancel your reservation: Transfer the entire amount paid to a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.

Change your travel dates (subject to availability) for the same flight number, origin and destination.
- Choose an earlier date or a date up to 14 days after your original departure date and WestJet will waive any fare difference.
- Choose a date 15 days or more after your original departure date and normal exchange and refund guidelines will apply.

Change your destination. Pay the difference in fare. If your new itinerary is cheaper, WestJet will give you a Travel Bank credit for the difference.

If you’re en route to your destination or already there, WestJet will waive change and cancellation fees. There are a few factors to consider, however.

Early return (subject to availability).

Cancel your booking: WestJet will credit the unused value of your booking to a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.

Continue to travel at your own risk. If you decide to continue traveling after an advisory has been issued, you will not be entitled to any compensation, credit or refund.

Air Canada Hurricane Policies

Air Canada has revised its ticketing policy to allow customers travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting.

Travellers whose flights are affected can retrieve and change their bookings for free. If you purchased a stay through Air Canada Vacations, contact them directly at 1-800-296-3408.

Air Canada customers are automatically signed up to receive flight notifications on their mobile devices or by email. You can update your preferences online.

Flexible ticketing is in place for the following dates and destinations:

July 2: Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, Kingston, Montego Bay and St. John’s, Newfoundland

July 3: Kingston and Montego Bay

July 4: Grand Cayman Island and Montego Bay

July 5: Montego Bay, Kingston, Cancun and Tulum.

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With files from the Associated Press