ATLANTA, Aug. 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (DAL:NYSE) customers booked on flights to or from select cities in Mexico and the Caribbean may make adjustments to travel schedules in preparation for Hurricane Dean, which has already moved through portions of the Caribbean and is expected to continue moving west through the area and into parts of Mexico during the next several days.
Delta is operating extra flights into markets including Kingston, Jamaica, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman to assist with passengers trying to depart these islands. Customers with travel plans in the Caribbean during the next several days should ensure their trip may continue as planned due to restrictions at some airports and possible long-term damage in the region. Currently, only residents of Grand Cayman are being allowed to fly into the island.
"This storm is very severe with sustained winds expected to reach in excess of 140 miles per hour," said Neil Stronach, vice president of Operations Planning, Control and Reliability. "The potential impact on airports in the path of Hurricane Dean could be substantial. We encourage customers to consider adjusting their travel plans, particularly into Jamaica, until the full impact of this hurricane is known."
Customers who purchased tickets by Aug. 16, 2007, and are scheduled to travel Aug. 17, 2007 to August 25, 2007, to, from or through the following cities on Delta, Delta Connection(r) or Delta-coded flights, may make a one-time change without penalty or additional fees if tickets are changed by Aug. 25, 2007. Travel must begin on or before Aug. 25, 2007.
Impacted cities include the following (note:cities may change):
* Belize City, Belize * Cancun, Mexico * Cozumel, Mexico * Merida, Mexico
Customers who purchased tickets by Aug. 15, 2007, and are scheduled to travel Aug. 16, 2007 to August 22, 2007, to, from or through the following cities on Delta, Delta Connection(r) or Delta-coded flights, may make a one-time change without penalty or additional fees if tickets are changed by Aug. 22, 2007. Travel must begin on or before Aug. 22, 2007.
Impacted cities include the following (note: cities may change):
* Antigua * Barbados * Martinique * Grand Cayman * Kingston, Jamaica * Montego Bay, Jamaica * Guadeloupe * Punta Cana * Santo Domingo * Santiago, Dominican Republic * St. Maarten * St. Lucia
Changes to origin and destination may result in a fare increase. Any fare difference between the original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of rebooking. Customers whose travel plans are affected by cancellations may request refunds or reaccommodation on alternate flights without fee or penalty.
Additional cities may be impacted by this weather system and customers are encouraged to visit delta.com/travelupdates for the quickest and most up to date information. Customers may also call 1-800-325-1999 for flight information.