CAL cancels flights as Matthew approaches Miami

Hurricane Matthew 11pm Wednesday 6 October 2016

(CNS): Cayman Airways has cancelled four flights between here and Miami International Airport as ground handling operations there were suspended at noon (their time) Thursday. Because weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate this afternoon due to Hurricane Matthew, flights KX104, KX105, KX106 and KX107 have been cancelled, the airline said in a release. All flights for Friday 7 October are scheduled to operate normally, but airline officials said that would depend on the operational status of MIA tomorrow.

“Cayman Airways is continuing to monitor the situation at the MIA and will provide further updates if and when any changes to tomorrow’s operations become necessary,” officials said, noting that change fees for passengers wanting to alter their reservations made on or before 4 October for Miami are still being waived.

At 11am local time Matthew was located around 25 miles westnorthwest of Nassau and heading towards the east coast of Florida. Still a category 4, Matthew is a dangerous hurricane with winds of over 14omph, travelling at around 14mph.

Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a dire warning Thursday morning, as millions of people living on the state’s eastern coast have been advised to evacuate: “This is serious… If you need to evacuate and you haven’t, evacuate. This storm will kill you. Time is running out. We don’t have that much time left.”