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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Bad Weather in Northeast Scrambles Air Traffic in the Territory

The sun shone brightly Tuesday and the temperature was in the balmy range across the U.S. Virgin Islands, but that wasn’t the case in the Northeastern U.S., where frigid temperatures prevailed and residents shoveled accumulated snow.

That bad weather impacted the territory, as stranded visitors struggled to get home or if they were still on the mainland, to start their vacations.

“Some airlines are backed up three or four days,” V.I. Port Authority spokesman Monifa Marrero said Tuesday afternoon.

She said lines at the airports were very long.

V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association President Lisa Hamilton said hotels were able to accommodate the stranded visitors because those supposed to arrive were stuck on the mainland.

Tourism Department spokesman Luana Wheatley said the department helped stranded people find places to stay.

While at least one parent of a JetBlue passenger said he understood about the problem, he was irked at the way the airline handled issues.

“No communication,” Chico Fleming said.

He said JetBlue flew his daughter out of St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Saturday to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for her connection to New York’s JFK International Airport, but when the plane couldn’t depart, flew her back to St. Croix.

“She’s still here,” he said, noting that it made no sense to fly her to Puerto Rico and then fly her back.

To add to the frustration, Fleming said JetBlue lost her luggage. Additionally, he said his daughter spent hours on the phone trying to sort things out.

“It’s crazy,” he said.

On Monday, JetBlue announced it was halting flights at the three New York area airports and Boston because of the cold weather. The airline resumed flying Tuesday afternoon.

Marrero urged anyone with flight reservations to check with their airline before heading to the airport because policies are different for each airline.

At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, JetBlue’s website indicated it waived change and cancel fees and fare differences for passengers flying Jan. 2 through Tuesday at its northeast area airports, including JFK, Newark Liberty and Boston. Those passengers must fly by Sunday.

American Airlines said passengers traveling from the Northeast who had reservations for Jan. 2 through Wednesday won’t be charged if they fly by Saturday.

Delta said no fees would be charged for passengers who need to change their flights if they originally were booked for Jan. 2 and 3 and fly by Wednesday. Those with reservations for Jan. 4 and 5 must fly by Thursday. Passengers with reservations for Jan. 6 and Tuesday must fly by Saturday.

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