Charters & Extra Flights On Prior To Gonzalo
The airport will close at 9.00pm on Thursday night and will likely remain closed throughout most of Saturday, however until it closes the airport will be extra busy, with two charter flights going out and airlines adding extra flights out, including Air Canada,United Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines.
A spokesperson said, “In anticipation of Hurricane Gonzalo, the L.F. Wade International Airport will close for operations Thursday night at 9:00 pm. Based on the latest weather forecast, the Airport shall remain closed Friday, October 17th when the storm is expected to make its full impact.
“It will likely remain closed throughout most, if not all day on Saturday, October 18th to allow for Airport Operations officials to conduct a full damage assessment, after which, it is anticipated that a decision on when to resume flight operations will be made.
“Airport Operations can also confirm that there will be increased flight activity this evening and on Thursday to accommodate increased demand. Two charter flights will depart Bermuda this evening for the U.S., while on Thursday; Air Canada will be adding a second flight using a 211-seat aircraft for its Toronto service; United Airlines will be scheduling a second flight using a 154-seat aircraft for its Newark service; WestJet will be scheduling a larger 174-seat aircraft for its Toronto service; and JetBlue has scheduled a second flight for its JFK service.
American Airlines will operate a larger 180-seat aircraft on its arriving flights out of JFK and Miami tonight and on the return flights Thursday morning. American Airlines will also operate an extra flight to and from Miami Thursday while US Airways will schedule a larger aircraft for its Philadelphia service.
“Other airlines are also considering either putting on larger aircraft or scheduling additional flights for Thursday in advance of the storm and that information will be disseminated as soon as it is received. In the meantime, passengers are urged to contact their respective airlines for updated information.”
For all our coverage of Tropical Storm Fay click here, for all our coverage of Hurricane Gonzalo click here, and for our live blog covering both Gonzalo and Fay click here.
This is good news but does anyone know if the prices are regular or “commercial”? I am receiving figures that are astromical. Does Bermuda not have emergency laws that prevent making profits in such emergencies?
The prices are similar to buying any ticket last minute.
It’s not cheap to fly an empty plane. The seat pricing surely is also taking into account they may not fill the plane, so flying an empty plane here and then flying a half filled plane back, the costs stack up. And the fact that it is last minute – fare is always more expensive the a few days to the flight date than a week or more before.
No!!! The only way that would happen is, if we are living in Socialist country, the last time I checked we are living in a free society, Cuba, Venezuela, or North Korea would be were you need to live, for the government intervention you are looking for!!
Really Kangoo? Ever heard of price gouging … most “free societies” with developed economies have some sort of legislation to prevent this stuff during civil emergencies
actually it is even a criminal offence in some states (Florida)
Cardine Alice – More than likely the extra “commercial” flights are for passengers who are already booked on future flights departing Bermuda – Wed, Thursday and Friday. The airport will close at 9pm on Thursday which means the airlines are offering the opportunity to get out of Bermuda so they do not get stuck on the islandm, possibly over the weekend without any added cost for accommodations.
I believe if an individual, (or a family) are stuck here on the Island from Thursday until all operations resume at L.F.Wade International and they are staying in a hotel or any type of tourist accommodations for that matter, it will likely cost considerably far more than what it would cost if they choose to fly out sooner as oppose to after the hurricane. So, the bottom line is “are you / they willing to spend money here for a few extra days or fly out for a few extra dollars?”
If it’s Delta and the price is near $1000, then that is regular price. Most times flights are likely to be cancelled, the airlines waive change fees and allow passengers to fly early or later. I’m actually surprised the airlines are using heavier equipment. I guess we have to pay for that.
Please please let BA come in on Thursday – there a lots of kids coming home for 1/2 term on that flight – rescheduled from Friday … pretty pleeeeeeese.
The change fee prior to the airlines putting their respective storm policies were all of 7 bills but once the policy is in effect the they waive all fees at least American does anyway.
Is there one headed to Cuba? Im packed.
It’s unfortunate that they are so focused at getting people off the island at the expense of people set to fly in. I am to arrive via Delta at 1:40pm tomorrow and delta wants to charge me $250 to change my flight, they will not waive the fee. They want to literally dump me, and the other passengers, into a hurricane and leave us stranded. No regard to safety, it’s all greed. I am at a loss and don’t know what to do. Everything I had planned for Bermuda has been canceled by the providers (including room) and Delta won’t budge. Orbitz was understanding and waived all fees, yet Delta is putting people’s safety at risk. The airport needs to stop then from bringing in tourists, it’s a liability for the island with the storm coming.
To update on my comment: I got in touch with a helpful employee who waived my fees, though the latest I was allowed to rebook was October 23rd. However, their policy is still only allowing the waiving of fees for flights on the 17th or 18th, so it’s obviously up to the employee’s discretion. I lucked out, I hope the other passengers can as well. (Sooo grateful to that worker).
What these airlines have done on the sale of seats at outrageous prices is simply disgusting! One way to JFK for $1000!!! SHAME ON YOU! Some people needed to get away to Boston for medical treatment and on trying to get on n extra flight got slammed! SHAME!