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Tropical storms in Hawaii could impact flights from Metro Vancouver

A hurricane may also impact flights in the week ahead.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert

Canada's largest airlines are bracing for possible impacts from a tropical storm and a hurricane headed to Hawaii.

While neither of the weather systems has made landfall in the state, forecasters warn that impacts could be felt within days. 

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for Hawaii on Friday, Aug. 23, cautioning that powerful winds and heavy rain will be starting late Saturday to early Sunday. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center (NCI) shows Tropical Storm Hone tracking toward the Hawaiian islands. 

Hone is expected to deliver strong winds and heavy rain to Hawaii this weekend, particularly to the Kona area on the Big Island and possibly Maui, as it passes south of the island chain.

Gusting winds could cause power outages and topple trees. After it passes the islands, it is expected to gain intensity and become a hurricane (Hurricane Gilma) next week, according to Accuweather. 

Forecasts say it is too early to tell whether Hurricane Gilma will impact the islands but the earliest it could is mid-next week. NCI also shows the hurricane tracking west but the path could evolve. 

What will happen if Tropical Storm Hone or Hurricane Gilma impact my flights to or from Vancouver?

Travellers departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) should check local weather and conditions at their destination before heading to the airport. They should also check airport conditions in places en route to their destinations to see how they may impact travel.

Locals should also book travel insurance with trip interruption, trip cancellation, medical for over $5 million, and comprehensive baggage loss and delay. Passengers are advised to read the fine print of their policy closely. 

Flights on Air Canada 

Air Canada told V.I.A. that it does not have any flights operating to Kona on the Big Island but is "monitoring and tracking the storm's trajectory very closely."

The airline has a tropical storm policy for travellers with flights impacted by hurricanes.

If a tropical storm impacts its flights to Maui or Oahu, locals with trips that haven't started yet have a couple of options. 

  1. Cancel your reservation
    • If you purchased a refundable fare, you’ll receive a full refund.
    • If you purchased a non-refundable ticket, Air Canada will transfer the full amount paid into your  AC Wallet or to a Future Travel Credit valid for one year.
  2. Choose a new travel date (subject to availability), earlier than originally planned or up to and including 14 days after your original departure date and you won’t pay any difference in fare.
  3. Choose a new destination - pay any difference in fare. If your new itinerary costs less, Air Canada will transfer the difference into your AC Wallet or to a Future Travel Credit valid for one year.

Air Canada’s refund and cancellation policy applies to any cancelled flights. 

 If a tropical storm impacts its flights to Maui or Oahu, locals in their destination also have options. 

  1. Return early (subject to availability)
  2. Cancel your reservation
    • Air Canada will transfer the difference into your AC Wallet or to a Future Travel Credit valid for one year.

Flights on WestJet

WestJet also doesn't expect any impacts to its operations due to Hone, though it does fly to Kona on the Big Island. However, it is monitoring the storm for any other possible impacts. 

"We continue to monitor the situation closely in Honolulu and Maui and will make operational changes in the name of safety as necessary," the airline told V.I.A.

WestJet customers in Hawaii are advised to follow all response instructions provided by local authorities.

WestJet also has a tropical storm policy for travellers on flights affected by hurricanes. 

The airline will allow you to do one of several options if you haven't left for your trip yet:

  1. Cancel your reservation: Transfer the full amount paid into a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.
  2. Change your travel dates (subject to availability) to the same flight number, origin and destination.
    • Choose an earlier date, or a date up to and including 14 days after the original departure date and WestJet will waive any difference in fare.
    • Choose a date of 15 days or more after your original departure date and normal exchange and refund guidelines will apply.
  3. Change your destination. Pay any difference in fare. If your new itinerary costs less, 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. You can do one of the following: 

  1. Return early (subject to availability).
  2. Cancel your reservation: WestJet will put the unused value of your reservation into a Travel Bank credit valid for one year.
  3. Continue travelling at your own risk. If you choose to continue travelling after an advisory has been issued you are not eligible for compensation or a credit or refund.

Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.

Want to learn more about a specific destination or have a travel concern or idea you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at [email protected]. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. 

With files from The Associated Press.