Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Winair Cancel or Adjust Flights as Hurricane Erin Disrupts Caribbean Air Travel at Terrance B. Lettsome, Gustaf III, Princess Juliana, Cyril E. King, A New Update on This for US Tourists

Published on August 17, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and Winair are among the airlines cancelling or adjusting flights as Hurricane Erin causes major air travel disruption across the northeast Caribbean due to Hurricane Erin . Terrance B. Lettsome in the British Virgin Islands and Gustaf III in Saint Barthélemy have suspended operations, while Princess Juliana in Sint Maarten and Cyril E. King in St. Thomas are seeing reduced schedules. The Hurricane Erin carries powerful winds, heavy rain, and dangerous seas are forcing rapid changes to keep passengers and crews safe. US tourists are being advised to check with their airlines before travelling, as further cancellations and delays are expected while Erin remains active.

Terrance B. Lettsome, Gustaf III, Princess Juliana, Cyril E. King, and Henry E. Rohlsen airports are at the centre of major travel disruption as Hurricane Erin sweeps across the northeast Caribbean in August 2025. The powerful Category 5 Hurricane Erin storm has forced complete closures at key hubs in the British Virgin Islands and Saint Barthélemy, while heavily impacting flight schedules in Sint Maarten and the US Virgin Islands.

In Tortola, Terrance B. Lettsome International is shut until the all-clear is given. Saint Barthélemy’s Gustaf III Airport has grounded all flights for two days. Princess Juliana in Sint Maarten remains open but is operating with a sharply reduced schedule. Cyril E. King in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen in St. Croix are still open, but travellers are facing cancellations and delays.

A Powerful Storm Brings Widespread Travel Disruption

The powerful Category 5 Hurricane Erin storm has grown into a dangerous storm in the northeast Caribbean. Its winds, heavy rain, and large swells have already forced airports to close, flights to be cancelled, and passengers to change plans. The storm is moving away from making direct landfall on the United States mainland, but its effects are being felt in many islands and along the East Coast. Airlines, airports, and governments are now working to keep travellers safe while reducing disruption as much as possible.

British Virgin Islands Closes Main Airport

The British Virgin Islands government has ordered Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Tortola to close until it is safe. All flights for 16 and 17 August are cancelled. Passengers have been told to contact their airlines for new travel dates. This is a major connection point for the territory, and its closure has a big impact on travel in and out of the islands.

Flight Cancellations in the US Virgin Islands

In the US Virgin Islands, the airports on St. Thomas and St. Croix remain open, but several flights have been cancelled. The US Virgin Islands Port Authority says both commercial and inter-island services are affected. Travellers are being warned that even open airports may still see delays and cancellations as the storm passes nearby.

Saint Barthélemy Shuts Down All Flights

On the French island of Saint Barthélemy, all flights at Gustaf III Airport are cancelled for 16 and 17 August. The small runway there serves mostly short-haul flights to nearby islands like Saint Martin and Guadeloupe. The complete shutdown shows how seriously local authorities are taking the safety risk from Erin’s winds and rain.

Sint Maarten Faces Major Airline Cancellations

Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten is still operating, but many airlines have cancelled services. Winair and St Barth Commuter have stopped all flights for 16 August. Air France has cancelled flights AF498 and AF499 between Paris and Sint Maarten. Airport notices have told passengers to check with their airlines before travelling.

Regional Airlines Cut Eastern Caribbean Routes

Several regional carriers are adjusting schedules. LIAT has cancelled flights to Tortola and Sint Maarten for 15 and 16 August. InterCaribbean Airways has cancelled or retimed multiple flights between Eastern Caribbean islands for 16 and 17 August. These carriers link many smaller islands, so the changes are being felt across the region.

US Airlines Issue Travel Waivers

Major US airlines are also preparing for disruption, even outside the Caribbean. Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest have issued travel waivers for passengers using major East Coast airports such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and others. The waivers allow passengers to change flights without fees if their travel falls on affected dates. This is to reduce congestion and avoid passengers being stranded if the storm causes delays.

FAA Holds and Weather Delays in the US

The US Federal Aviation Administration has already ordered short ground stops at major airports including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Washington Dulles, and Reagan National because of thunderstorms linked to the unsettled weather ahead of Erin. While these are not direct hurricane impacts, they are part of the wider pattern of disruption.

Other Countries in Erin’s Path

Airports and authorities in other islands are also watching the storm closely. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, The Bahamas, and Bermuda are either experiencing rough seas or are under warnings for hazardous swells. While not all have closed airports, they are preparing for possible delays and safety measures if conditions worsen.

Airlines Named in the Disruption

Several carriers have been directly affected. Winair, St Barth Commuter, LIAT, and InterCaribbean Airways have all announced full or partial cancellations. Air France has adjusted its transatlantic services to Sint Maarten. US airlines Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest have issued flexible rebooking policies. Each is making these changes to keep crews, aircraft, and passengers safe.

Airports with Full or Partial Closures

Terrance B. Lettsome International in Tortola is closed until further notice. Gustaf III in Saint Barthélemy has stopped all flights for two days. Princess Juliana International in Sint Maarten is open but with many cancellations. Cyril E. King in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen in St. Croix remain open but with reduced schedules.

What Travellers Should Expect Next

Travellers in the Caribbean should expect ongoing delays and possible further cancellations even after the storm passes. Airports may need time to inspect runways, and airlines will need to bring back aircraft and crews. In the US, East Coast airports may see weather-related delays from Erin’s outer swells and rain. The Bahamas, Bermuda, and parts of the US coastline are expecting dangerous surf and rip currents, which could also affect ferry and cruise operations.

Safety Before Schedules

The priority for all operators is safety. Closing airports and cancelling flights is difficult for passengers, but flying in strong winds or heavy rain is not safe. Airlines are working to get people home or to their destinations as soon as conditions allow. Passengers are advised to check with airlines before leaving for the airport and to accept rebooking options when offered.

Conclusion: Erin’s Lesson for Travellers

Hurricane Erin shows how quickly travel plans can change when severe weather hits. Even places not in the direct path can see major disruption. For travellers, it is a reminder to stay informed, keep flexible, and put safety first. For the Caribbean, the storm is another test of how airports and airlines manage extreme weather. The combined efforts of local governments, regional carriers, and major international airlines are helping to limit risks while the region waits for the all-clear.