UK Charters Flights to Evacuate 8,000 from Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa — a rare Category 5 storm — devastated parts of Jamaica with heavy rain, catastrophic winds and flooding, leaving at least five people dead and causing widespread infrastructure damage. Major airports — Sangster International (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Norman Manley (KIN) in Kingston and Ian Fleming (OCJ) in Ocho Rios — have begun limited operations for relief and essential commercial flights, though MBJ sustained concourse, roof and flood damage that has taken seven gates out of service. Relief flights from carriers including American, JetBlue, Air Canada and Cayman Airways, and nonprofits such as Agape Flights, have delivered supplies and personnel while many airlines have extended travel waivers and some tour and cruise services remain suspended. Jamaican authorities, led by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, say road access and communications remain disrupted and that priority is being given to humanitarian flights as structural assessments continue. The UK government is arranging emergency charter flights to help about 8,000 British nationals return home and is urging citizens to register with the Foreign Office for updates.