The operator of (SJU) Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Aerostar Airport Holdings, reported on Tuesday night that due to the expected inclement weather with the passage of Hurricane Ernesto, a total of 18 flights to and from destinations in the Caribbean, as well as to the municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra, have been canceled.
Aerostar President Jorge Hernández detailed that the affected flights include those destined for Saint Martin, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas, Dominica, and Saint Croix, as well as flights to Culebra and Vieques. Of these, 9 were canceled by Cape Air and five by Silver Airways.
Additionally, Intercaribbean reported three cancellations to and from the British Virgin Islands.
“As a result of several meetings we have held with the airport community and airlines, we are anticipating cancellations of scheduled flights for this afternoon (Tuesday) and part of tomorrow (Wednesday). However, it is important that passengers stay in direct contact with their airlines. The most effective way to do this is by subscribing to automatic notifications via email, mobile apps, and the website of each airline to receive accurate updates and even reschedule their flight,” said Hernández.
Aerostar anticipated that the main airlines traveling to domestic (U.S.) and international destinations will notify passengers of flight cancellations starting this afternoon.
The operator also communicated via the social network “X” (formerly Twitter) that the company has activated its emergency protocols.
“We recommend that all travelers confirm the status of their flights directly with their airlines before heading to the airport,” reads the message from Aerostar.
Hernández emphasized that it is not recommended for passengers to go directly to the airport to reschedule a flight. “Airlines’ reservation systems are managed at their central offices and virtually, not through the employees working at the airport,” he stated.
“The Aerostar team will remain on duty 24 hours a day while the effects of the atmospheric phenomenon persist. We will continue to provide periodic reports to passengers, and our staff will be continuously working to maintain the operability of the facilities,” assured the Aerostar President.
In the latest bulletin, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Tropical Storm Ernesto had reached about 60 miles per hour and was located approximately 170 miles east-southeast of San Juan. The municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra are under a hurricane watch. The atmospheric system is expected to reach Puerto Rico on Tuesday night and bring between three to six inches of rain, with a maximum of 10 inches.
