AIRLINES have cancelled flights to Florida after a state of emergency was declared in the US hotspot.

Hurricane Milton, a category 4 hurricane, is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday (October 11, 2024).

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More than a million people have been ordered to evacuate from its path, with a further six million put under hurricane watch warning.

It will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in more than 100 years if it stays on the current track, according to the National Weather Service.

Given the stark warnings, airports across Florida will close to customers, affecting flights from the UK.

Tampa International Airport will be closed from 9am on Tuesday, October 8, (today), with Orlando International Airport expected to close at 8am on October 9 (tomorrow).

Melbourne Orlando International Airport will close to passengers at 2pm on October 9 (tomorrow).

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which serves the Tampa Bay area, will also cancel flights on Wednesday and Thursday.

Holidaymakers are being encouraged to check with their airline to see if their flights have been impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Given the adverse weather conditions airlines like Virgin Atlantic, TUI and British Airways have cancelled upcoming flights from the UK to Florida, with multiple airports affected.

In a statement on its website, Virgin Atlantic told customers: “Due to adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Milton, a state of emergency has been declared in Florida.

“Unfortunately, this has impacted Virgin Atlantic’s flying schedule, and services to and from Orlando and Tampa are subject to cancellations and delays.”

Virgin Atlantic have cancelled the following flights from the UK:

Tuesday 08 October 2024

Wednesday 09 October 2024

• VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa
• VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow
• VS074 – Orlando to Manchester
• VS075 – Manchester to Orlando
• VS076 – Orlando to Manchester
• VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando
• VS092 – Orlando to London Heathrow
• VS135 – London Heathrow to Orlando
• VS136 – Orlando to London Heathrow
• VS225 – Edinburgh to Orlando has been delayed by 23 hours and is expected to operate on October 10

Thursday 10 October 2024

• VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando

A Virgin Atlantic Spokesperson added: “The safety and comfort of our customers and crew is our top priority and we are contacting any Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holiday customers who may be impacted by the hurricane to discuss their options.

“We ask that anyone travelling checks the status of their flights on virginatlantic.com for the latest information. We’d like to thank our customers for their patience as we work through the impact of Hurricane Milton.”

The airline is contacting impacted customers to discuss their options and to rebook customers onto alternative flights.

Tour operator TUI has also had to cancel one flight to Florida, with two others also potentially impacted by Hurricane Milton.

A statement on the TUI website reads: “The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we are closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Milton which is forecast to be a storm of significant strength and pass over Florida from Wednesday.

“As a result Melbourne International Airport is expected to be extremely disrupted, as will our flying programme.

As a result of the closure of Melbourne International Airport, we have made the difficult decision to cancel flight TOM070 from London Gatwick Airport on Wednesday the 9^th of October. We are contacting customers directly to discuss their options.”

Wednesday 09 October 2024

TUI have yet to cancel flights to Melbourne Orlando International Airport on Thursday, October 10, but are “closely monitoring the situation and will update customers as soon as possible”.

These flights include:

Thursday 10 October 2024

Sun Online Travel have contacted TUI for comment.

A number of British Airways flights have also been cancelled because of the category 4 hurricane, with the following flights impacted:

Tuesday 08 October 2024

• BA 2167 from London Gatwick to Tampa

Wednesday 09 October 2024

• BA 2167 from London Gatwick to Tampa
• BA 2037 from London Gatwick to Orlando
• BA 2039 from London Gatwick to Orlando

A spokesperson from British Airways said: “Safety is always our highest priority, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.

“As with other airlines, we are adjusting our flight schedules where airport closures occur and providing any affected customers with alternatives including flight rebooking options or full refunds.”

Other airlines like Finnair, Delta and American Airlines, which also fly direct from the UK to Florida, will see their flights cancelled.

Holidaymakers are being urged to contact their booked airlines for further details.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

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You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

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The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

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If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

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Meanwhile, booking certain flights can help passengers avoid travel problems.

And this airline worker showed how to avoid cancellation problems.

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A NEW themed land could soon open at one of the UK’s top theme parks, if plans are given the go-ahead.

Last year, Chessington World of Adventures was named the UK’s best theme park at the UK Theme Park Awards.

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And the theme park could soon renovate two of its pre-existing areas.

The project, called ‘Refresh and Renew’ hopes to see Wild Asia, one of the theme park’s oldest areas, undergo a huge revamp.

According to the proposal, Wild Asia will be replaced by a new themed land have a range of immersive experiences like play areas and sensory environments.

A new rollercoaster with both indoor and outdoor elements is slated to feature in the new themed land too.

Kobra, one of Chessington’s most popular rides, will also undergo a makeover, according to the proposal.

A new indoor ride and an outdoor play area are included in the plans as well as new food and drink outlets and a retail shop.

The new themed land will also make use of the Explorer Glamping Area, which has yet to open at the London-based theme park.

Another proposal being considered called Project Play.

Project Play will see Mexicana, a ‘ramshackle western town‘ that opened in 1987, also undergo renovation.

Chessington hopes to transform Mexicana into a themed land that’s similar to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers.

Attractions outlined in the proposal include a My First Rollercoaster, a themed playscape, a meet-and-greet area and several children’s rides.

A themed food and beverage station and a themed retail area are also part of the plans.

The plans are currently undergoing public consultation, which means they are liable to change.

It is not yet known when renovation work will commence or when the new themed lands will open at the theme park.

Sun Online Travel have contacted Chessington World of Adventures for comment.

The new themed lands aren’t the only new attraction that’s set to open at Chessington World of Adventures, with the resort confirming a waterpark will be added to its line-up.

Announced last year, the waterpark, which hopes to rival the likes of Disney, will have a wave pool, infinity pools, slides and a water play area.

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A safari ‘beach’ and spa will also feature, along with a splash pad and adventure river, with the theme park extending its Safari Hotel as part of the expansion.

A spokesperson for Chessington previously said the new attraction is needed to give a “strong boost” to both London and the tourism industry following the pandemic.

They said: “Visitors’ demands and expectations of leisure and tourism attractions are constantly evolving and growing.

“These are influenced by experiences abroad where the likes of Disney and Universal Studios are able to accommodate guests on site for extended periods, to enable visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience of the themed areas and attractions on offer… without investment visitor numbers will decline.”

If the plans are given the go-ahead, the new attraction could open as early as 2025.

A new £300m theme park could soon open in the UK – despite not having any rides.

Meanwhile, a new indoor theme park could open in Europe next year, with a huge castle, a water flume and a family rollercoaster.

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