Agents rush to bring back Florida holidaymakers before hurricane hits

UK travel agents are working hard to bring back tourists in Florida before Hurricane Irma hits the state this weekend.

Some say they are struggling to find seats for holidaymakers as airlines cancel flights and airports announce closures ahead of the storm’s arrival. 

Orlando International Airport has confirmed it will shut down after the final departure at 5pm on Saturday, while Sanford Orlando Airport is planning to stop after the last departure at 5.15pm on the same day.

Holidaymakers were warned not to go to the airports for shelter from the hurricane or to wait for flights.

Airlines have already cancelled dozens of flights and more cancellations are likely today and Saturday.

British Airways said it was closely monitoring developments across the region and is ‘in regular contact with holidaymakers there to ensure they are safe and being well looked after by their hotel management’. ‘‹

"As you’d imagine, our flights out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa are extremely busy, so we have also offered to fly customers home from any other US airport we operate from," it said.

Some agents have been posting appeals for assistance on Facebook, saying they are struggling to find seats or to make contact with airlines and operators.

Visit Florida has jumped into action and is sending a targeted Facebook message to approximately 250,000 domestic and international visitors currently in Florida advising them of the hurricane and urging them to take necessary precautions.

Through its partnership with Expedia, Expedia.com/Florida has been activated to provide information about accommodation for visitors, residents and first responders.

The tourism body’s Welcome Centres are being transformed into emergency information centres to help direct evacuees with the most up to date information.

It said all of its Welcome Centre staff are Red Cross Certified and ‘stand ready to assist at shelters and other areas’.

Meanwhile, Airbnb has activated its Disaster Response Program to connect Floridians forced to evacuate from their homes due to Hurricane Irma and relief workers arriving to provide assistance with temporary housing through local Airbnb hosts free of charge.

Thomson and First Choice said they are closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Irma, which is forecast to hit Cuba today and Florida from Sunday.

It has already left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, yesterday sweeping across the Turks and Caicos.

A spokeswoman for Sandals says it has not yet made contact with its Beaches Turks & Caicos or Bahamas Resorts following the passing of the hurricane.

"All customers in resort are being cared for and communicated to in accordance with our hurricane procedures. Safety and security of our guests is our number one priority," she said.

Thomson has cancelled or postponed some of its Dominican Republic and Cuba flights.

It said Florida flights ‘today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday’ are due to fly as scheduled, despite Sanford Airport saying it will close at 5.15pm. TravelMole is awaiting clarification.

Thomson said customers due to travel to Sanford Florida up to and including Sunday September 10 who no longer wish to travel are able to re-book any Florida holiday currently on sale with a £25 per person incentive.

"If the new holiday is more expensive customers will be required to cover the difference, and where a holiday is cheaper we will apply a refund," it said.

"Our customer service team is available until 10pm today and between 8am-10pm tomorrow on 0800 009 3836 or 0203 636 1997 for anyone wishing to discuss their options," it said.

"Our experienced team of international reps in resort are supporting our customers in their hotels and we would advise that all customers in the destinations closely follow instructions from our teams and the hotel management at all times."

It said at present, its 24/7 number – +44 3333 365 147 (or +353 1 5133401 for Irish customers – should only to be used by customers currently in resort. Alternatively customers in resort can email [email protected] or text 82345.

Thomas Cook said its Manchester-Miami flight today will oeprate as normal for flight-only customers but customer due to travel on a package holiday to Miami will be offered an alternative destination or a full cancellation as no accommodation will be available. But it is not clear if the return flight will operate.

Kuoni said its customers in Antigua are all safe and are flying home today (Friday). 

"We’re in contact with our team in all destinations Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Florida and they’ve been talking to our guests and working around the clock to either bring people home, move to alternative destinations or move to safe and secure locations," said a spokeswoman.  

"We’ve been in touch with all people due to depart up until September 12 and our team are helping customers due to travel to rearrange their holiday plans. We’re monitoring the situation carefully but will work with the airlines and hotels to keep customers up to date on their travel arrangements."

A hurricane warning is in effect for a number of areas, including Turks and Caicos Islands, South-eastern, Central and Northern Bahamas, Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara and parts of Florida, (including Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach, Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, Florida Bay).

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for parts of Cuba (Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas and Matanzas) and pats of Florida ( North of Jupiter Inlet to Sebastian Inlet & North of Bonita Beach to Anna Maria Island.

Two further storms are following closely behind and threaten to hit some of the same islands already devastated by Irma. 

The Foreign Office today issued warnings about Hurricane Jose, which has now been given category 3 hurricane status and is due to hit north-eastern parts of the Caribbean from Saturday.