TUI issues travel warning as flights to major destination cancelled

Hurricane Ian batters Punta Gorda in Florida

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TUI has warned passengers that flights to Melbourne-Orlando Airport in Florida are set to be cancelled this week. The cancellations are due to disruption from Hurricane Ian.

TUI posted on its website: “Following a review of the official forecast for Hurricane Ian, Melbourne-Orlando has confirmed the closure of the airport until Friday September 30.

“Unfortunately, this means the following flights will now not be able to operate as planned.”

TUI’s flights from Glasgow and Birmingham to Melbourne-Orlando are both cancelled on Thursday September 29.

The airline has also cancelled flights from Gatwick and Newcastle to Melbourne-Orlando on Friday September 30.

TUI added: “We plan to reschedule the flights to Florida once the airport has reopened.

“We are in close contact with Melbourne-Orlando Airport, and we will be updating customers as soon as we receive any further information.

“For any TUI customers already in Florida, our resort teams are also on hand to provide support and we ask them to follow any advice issued locally.”

Customers can also contact TUI on the holiday company’s support line number at +4433 33 365 147.

It added: “We will be proactively contacting all impacted customers in departure date order to discuss their options.

“We apologise for the disruption to our customers’ holiday, and we’d like to thank them for the understanding.”

Hurricane Ian has caused mayhem in Florida and left more than two million people without electricity.

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has warned people to prepare for a “nasty, nasty” couple of days.

The UK Government updated its travel advice for British tourists travelling to the USA.

It said: “Hurricane Ian will hit the western Florida coast on Wednesday 28 September.

“The US National Hurricane Centre has issued a hurricane warning (it is already a category 4 hurricane and is strengthening steadily) for the Fort Myers and Tampa Bay areas of western Florida, although the entire state may be affected to differing degrees.

“Strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected. There is a severe and life threatening risk of flooding from rain and coastal storm surges.

“You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and/or your tour operator including any mandatory evacuation orders.

“If you live in these coastal areas you should have already left for safer areas inland.”

Tourists are advised to follow advice from local authorities and monitor local radio, TV and press.

Hurricanes can cause dangerous high winds, very heavy rainfall and damage to buildings and infrastructure.

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