Travellers headed to Cuba on flights from Metro Vancouver may want to reconsider travel plans.
The Caribbean island was completely plunged into darkness on Friday, Oct. 18, following a massive power outage. On Sunday, Hurricane Oscar struck the country's eastern coast, leaving six dead and worsening the energy crisis.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the hurricane's maximum sustained winds were 75 mph.
Some homes have spent up to eight hours a day without electricity. The blackout's impact goes beyond lighting, as services like water supply also depend on electricity to run pumps.
People have resorted to cooking with improvised wood stoves on the streets before the food went bad in refrigerators.
Are flights from Vancouver to Cuba cancelled?
Travellers departing from Vancouver on connecting flights to Cuban cities such as Varadero, Havana, Holguin, or Santiago de Cuba International Airport should check the weather at their destination and their connecting city.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) does not currently show cancelled flights to Cuba but most flights from Vancouver to Cuba airports involve one or two connections and YVR's information would not show these delays or cancellations.
Travellers should always purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan before buying tickets. Travel insurance providers cover everything from missed connections to lost or damaged bags, medical emergencies to natural disasters, and more. However, a missed step in the process could result in travellers not getting paid their claims.
For example, if a traveller purchases an insurance policy after a hurricane is named, they won't get covered for those headed to areas affected by the storm.
What should I do if I have flights to Cuba with Air Canada?
Air Canada Vacations has introduced a Goodwill Policy for customers to Varadero, Cuba between Oct. 21 and 27 to change their bookings.
Customers affected by the power outage will be offered the following options:
- Modify their booking: Customers can modify their booking by selecting new travel dates or a new destination from those offered by Air Canada Vacations. Modifications to original bookings will incur additional fees.
- Future Travel Credit: Travellers who decide not to travel can cancel their booking and receive a full refund in the form of a future travel credit. This will be valid for one year from the originally scheduled departure date and can be applied to any purchase of products offered by Air Canada Vacations.
In addition, due to the power outage, the scheduled flights to Varadero indicated below are cancelled:
Oct. 23:
- AC1746: Montreal to Varadero
- AC1740: Toronto to Varadero
Oct. 25:
- AC1746: Montreal to Varadero
- AC1740: Toronto to Varadero
The following return flights from Varadero are operating as scheduled:
Oct. 23:
- AC1747: Varadero to Montreal
- AC1741: Varadero to Toronto
Oct. 25:
- AC1747: Varadero to Montreal
- AC1741: Varadero to Toronto
Air Canada Vacations will contact affected travellers to review other options. Travellers should visit the Air Canada app for details on your revised itinerary.
Customers headed to Varadero, as well as those who are in destination, should monitor their email or phone (or any other method of communication selected when booking) to receive updates about changes to their travel itinerary, and monitor their flight status with Air Canada online.
Customers at their destination may also see the hotel front desk for updates on departure information.
Air Canada Vacations will continue closely monitoring the situation and communicate further changes.
Travellers with questions can contact the airline directly at 1-800-296-3408.
What should I do if I have flights to Cuba with WestJet?
WestJet is monitoring the ongoing power outage affecting Cuba. The carrier's next scheduled flight is on Oct. 26 and customers should continue to check the WestJet Travel Advisories page for updates.
WestJet Vacations guests currently in Cuba should speak to their destination representative. The outage will affect travellers from Oct. 21 to 26.
With files from The Associated Press
