WestJet and Air Canada have issued travel advisories for passengers heading to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Mexico’s Pacific coast as Hurricane Isaias and a second storm, Simon, threaten both regions, according to travel-industry reports published Oct. 9.
WestJet has issued tropical storm advisories for Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, Open Jaw reported. The Puerto Vallarta advisory covers travel to and from the Jalisco resort city from Oct. 9 to 12. The Mazatlán advisory, for the Sinaloa coastal city, covers travel on Oct. 9 and 10.
Air Canada said flights to and from New Orleans may be affected by Isaias on Oct. 9, Open Jaw reported. Bookings on affected flights can be changed free of charge, subject to availability, the report said.
Isaias is the storm behind a surge in Canadian searches on Oct. 9. Google Trends data for Canada showed the storm’s name among the day’s most-searched terms, with CNN reporting evacuations along the Gulf Coast as the system approached. FOX Weather said a landfall on the coast was expected to be dangerous.
Open Jaw reported that Tropical Storm Simon, off Mexico’s Pacific coast, is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane and cross the west-central coast on Oct. 10. The storm may bring heavy rain and strong winds, and flash flooding and landslides are possible, the report said. Disruption could extend to power, telecommunications and other essential services.
The Traveler, a travel news site, reported that WestJet customers who booked flight-only trips directly with the airline can change or cancel through the Manage Trips tool. Customers with WestJet Vacations packages should contact the vacation arm directly, and those who booked through a third-party agency should return to their original point of sale.
Under WestJet’s policy, when an official advisory covers an origin or destination on the travel dates, options may include changing dates or cancelling certain packages without standard change penalties, The Traveler reported. Eligibility depends on the fare type and package terms.
The same outlet reported that Air Canada had not published a destination-specific advisory for the Mexico Pacific storms at the same level of detail as WestJet’s. Air Canada Vacations has a standing policy that if the U.S. National Hurricane Center issues a warning or watch for a booked destination within seven days of departure, customers may be offered flexible rebooking or change options, The Traveler said.
As a precedent, the outlet pointed to an Aug. 15 advisory for Tropical Storm Lala in Honolulu, which let customers move to new dates or take a travel credit valid for one year from the original departure date. The terms for the current storms depend on each advisory and the fare rules, it said.
The Government of Canada’s travel advice for Mexico is currently yellow, which tells travellers to exercise a high degree of caution, with regional advisories, Open Jaw reported.
Both outlets said travellers should expect possible delays, advance cancellations and rerouted flights. Airlines may change departure times, combine flights or suspend service at airports facing high winds or heavy rain, The Traveler said. It advised passengers to check flight status often and to avoid going to the airport until their flights show as operating.
Travel insurers may treat named storms as specified events, but coverage varies by policy wording and purchase date, The Traveler said. It advised travellers to keep receipts for any extra costs.
Neither report gave wind speeds, storm categories for Simon or exact landfall times. This story is developing, and the airlines’ advisories may change as the storms move. Travellers should check WestJet and Air Canada directly for the latest terms.
Via Open Jaw and The Traveler.
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