Havana's José Martí International Airport encountered significant disruptions on Thursday as a result of adverse weather conditions brought by Hurricane Helene.
In an official statement, the airport administration detailed that the severe rains and winds associated with the hurricane led to the temporary suspension of several flights and issues with the water supply network at the capital's main air terminal.
The affected airlines included Copa Airlines and Viva Aerobus, both of which had flights scheduled to land at José Martí Airport during the storm.
Copa Airlines announced the cancellation of three of its flights: CMP245, CMP371, and CMP388, citing unsafe landing conditions due to the severe weather. The Panamanian airline noted that after monitoring the situation for several hours, they observed an improvement in the weather and arranged for the flights to land in Havana on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Viva Aerobus' flight 843, also affected by the inclement weather, managed to land at José Martí Airport. The Mexican airline reported no major incidents but highlighted that the flight conditions to Havana were challenging due to the hurricane's influence.
Water Supply Disruption at Terminal 3
Beyond flight cancellations, Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to the airport's infrastructure.
Terminal 3, the busiest at José Martí Airport, experienced a disruption in its water supply due to an electrical failure linked to the heavy storms. This interruption affected the provision of this essential resource, but airport authorities have confirmed that the issue has been resolved and services have been restored.
Airport officials expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and airlines, offering apologies for the disruptions.
Impact of Hurricane Helene in Western Cuba
The Cuban Institute of Meteorology stressed that while Hurricane Helene did not make landfall on the island, its proximity resulted in adverse weather conditions, power outages, and severe flooding, particularly in the western region.
The torrential rains and winds exceeding 50 mph primarily disrupted air operations and essential services in the capital, including the electric grid and transportation system.
José Martí Airport will continue to monitor the meteorological situation, expecting all operations to return to normal in the coming hours. Travelers are advised to stay informed through official airline channels and the airport's updates regarding their flight statuses.
As operations gradually return to normal, there is hope that upcoming flights will proceed without further issues.