British holidaymakers are facing major flight delays and cancellations as Jamaica’s two main airports—Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport—closed ahead of Hurricane Melissa, stranding hundreds of UK travellers and prompting airlines to suspend or postpone services. As of October 27, 2025, both airports are shut as a safety measure, and airlines warned that schedules remain fluid until local authorities give the all-clear to reopen.
Virgin Atlantic grounded Monday’s London Heathrow–Montego Bay flight and the corresponding inbound service. British Airways postponed its London Gatwick–Kingston departure by a full day. TUI said flights from Gatwick and Birmingham to Montego Bay are affected, with teams reviewing operations and timing. The closures in Jamaica come during the busy UK October half-term, when demand surges and spare seats are limited, raising the risk that rebooking will take longer than usual.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the ripple effects from airport closures during peak travel windows often compound over several days, even after flights resume, because crews and aircraft end up out of place and airlines must rebuild their rotations. That pattern appears likely here as carriers juggle safety, crew duty limits, and gate availability once Jamaica reopens.
UK travellers still due to fly should not set out for the airport until they have a firm update from their airline. Airlines are issuing rolling notices as forecast tracks and local conditions evolve. Weather-related restrictions can change quickly, and reopening times may shift with short notice. If you are already in Jamaica and need help, the UK government advised contacting the local consular line for urgent support.
Key confirmed developments
- Both Kingston and Montego Bay airports are closed as a precaution for Hurricane Melissa.
- Virgin Atlantic has grounded Monday’s London Heathrow–Montego Bay flight and the paired inbound.
- British Airways pushed its London Gatwick–Kingston flight to depart a day later than planned.
- TUI services from Gatwick and Birmingham to Montego Bay are disrupted pending further review.
- The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) helpline for citizens in Jamaica: +1 876-936-0700 (Option 2).
Airlines cautioned that weather remains the overriding factor. Safety rules require adequate wind, visibility, and staffing on the ground, along with checks of runways and equipment, before the first aircraft can land or depart.
Even after an official “open,” carriers often need extra time to pre-position planes and crews. That means flight delays could continue for at least a day or two after Hurricane Melissa passes, especially on long-haul routes between the UK and Jamaica.
Peak holiday period magnifies impact
This shutdown overlaps with a heavy travel period. More than 27,000 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports during the October half-term 2025, representing over 5 million seats.
- With such tight capacity, finding alternatives on the same day is difficult.
- Some passengers may face longer waits or be offered split itineraries.
- Families travelling with children could be asked to accept routed journeys if only scattered seats are available.
Recent weeks have also seen widespread delays and cancellations across leading UK airports because of air traffic control technical problems, strikes, and severe weather. Hubs affected include Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Leeds Bradford. Separate European airspace disruptions—particularly strikes in France—are also reducing flexibility for rerouting and backup options.
Practical steps for affected travellers
With Hurricane Melissa still influencing local operations, take the following actions to protect plans and get help if needed:
- Confirm your flight status directly with your airline before going to any airport. Do not rely on third-party apps alone.
- Monitor official updates from airlines, Jamaica’s airport authorities, and your tour operator.
- If stranded in Jamaica, call the FCDO consular line at +1 876-936-0700 (Option 2) for assistance, or review FCDO travel advice for Jamaica for official guidance.
- Check your airline’s rebooking and refund policies and review your travel insurance coverage. Weather-related cancellations are usually treated differently from technical faults.
- Keep receipts for necessary expenses if your carrier advises you to do so under its policy.
Airlines said they will re-accommodate customers on the next available services once conditions permit. Given constrained capacity, some travellers may be rebooked on later flights than usual.
- Package-holiday travellers: contact your tour operator for hotel and transfer arrangements if trips are extended.
- Independent travellers: speak with your airline and accommodation provider to discuss options if schedules slip.
Why airports were closed — and what happens next
Jamaica’s tourism sector is used to storm-season planning, and local authorities moved quickly to protect passengers and staff before Hurricane Melissa’s strongest winds and rain arrive. Closing both airports reduces the risk of:
- aircraft diversions,
- ground damage,
- last-minute evacuations.
It also allows crews to secure equipment, inspect facilities, and restore normal operations faster once the storm passes.
In the UK, airport operators are preparing for uneven traffic as returning flights from Jamaica resume. That could produce bunching at some terminals and thinner schedules at others, depending on how airlines rebuild rotations. Travellers connecting onward from London, Birmingham, or other UK airports should allow extra time and watch for gate and timing changes if they have separate tickets.
For UK families still at home and hoping to reach Jamaica later in the week, experts recommend:
- Hold off on airport trips until your airline confirms the flight is operating.
- Ask your airline or tour operator whether free date changes are available if you have flexible dates (policies differ and may change).
Officials emphasised that safety remains paramount. Crews will not fly until Jamaica’s airports confirm conditions meet strict standards. That approach aims to prevent mid-journey diversions or in-flight returns, which can be more disruptive for passengers and harder on the network.
What travellers should expect next
As of now, the core facts are clear:
- Jamaica’s two main airports are closed due to Hurricane Melissa.
- Airlines have cancelled or postponed flights.
- Hundreds of UK travellers remain in limbo.
With the storm still a factor, it will take steady, step-by-step updates from carriers and authorities to phase services back in. Travellers should:
- Check booking channels often and keep phones charged.
- Be ready to adjust plans once new departure and arrival times are posted.
- Watch email spam folders and app notifications for targeted messages from airlines, travel agents, or tour operators.
If your itinerary disappears from the airline’s app, that can signal a schedule change in progress rather than a cancellation—contact the carrier for clarification.
While the broader European network is also under strain from strikes and earlier technical issues, carriers say they will prioritise safety and clear communication as they work through the backlog. Expect staggered returns to service, and plan for possible overnight stays if connections depend on the timing of Jamaica-bound or Jamaica-origin flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
Jamaica’s two primary airports—Kingston’s Norman Manley and Montego Bay’s Sangster—were closed on October 27, 2025, as Hurricane Melissa neared, causing cancellations and delays that left hundreds of UK travellers affected. Major carriers, including Virgin Atlantic (which grounded the Monday Heathrow–Montego Bay roundtrip), British Airways (which deferred its Gatwick–Kingston flight by a day) and TUI, adjusted services while monitoring conditions. The closures coincide with the busy October half-term and wider European disruptions, which may lengthen rebooking times as airlines rebuild aircraft and crew rotations. Travellers should confirm flight status with carriers before travelling to airports and contact the FCDO consular line at +1 876-936-0700 (Option 2) if stranded. Airlines warned delays could persist for a day or two after reopening while safety checks and repositioning occur.
