Cat-5 Hurricane Erin drives SXM, USVI cancellations

Published on Aug 16, 2025, 5:00 pm CDTUpdated on Aug 18, 2025, 9:42 am CDT

6 min read

Hurricane Erin intensified to Category 5 on August 16, passing north of the northern Leeward Islands and spreading heavy rain, squalls, and dangerous surf. As bands clip the region, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) and the U.S. Virgin Islands report mass flight cancellations. Puerto Rico is seeing weather delays and schedule trims, while the big-three U.S. carriers maintain weather waivers first issued for East Coast hubs and continue operational flexibility across affected routes. Travelers should not head to the airport unless their flight is confirmed operating.

Key Points

Why it matters: A Category 5 system near busy Caribbean hubs is driving widespread flight cancellations.
Travel impact: St. Maarten and the USVI show mass scrubs, with rolling delays in Puerto Rico.
What's next: Hazardous surf reaches the Bahamas and U.S. East Coast next week, prolonging disruptions.
Cancellations include Winair at SXM, plus commuter and regional cuts around the northern Leewards.
Big-three waivers cover select U.S. hubs, with carriers offering fee-free changes per posted rules.

Snapshot

Erin's core is staying north of the islands, but outer bands are strong enough to disrupt flying across the northern Leewards, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) shows extensive cancellations, led by Winair's suspension of Saturday service. The Virgin Islands Port Authority says Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) remain open, yet several commercial flights are canceled. In San Juan, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is experiencing weather-related delays and select cancellations as feeder routes thin. U.S. travelers connecting via Miami, Charlotte, New York, Newark, or Atlanta should recheck itineraries and use carrier waivers where eligible.

Background

The National Hurricane Center confirmed Erin reached Category 5 strength on August 16, with maximum sustained winds near 160 mph while passing north of the northern Leeward Islands. Key messages warned of heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and life-threatening surf across the northern Leewards, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, with hazardous swells spreading toward the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the U.S. East Coast next week. Earlier this week we tracked Erin's evolution and early travel effects in Tropical Storm Erin Forecast: Insurance Clock, Swell Risks and Tropical Storm Erin Cruise Updates: Reroutes Begin. Today's airline and airport impacts reflect the storm's compact core combined with expanding rain bands.

Latest Developments

Hurricane Erin prompts airport cancellations at SXM and across regional feeders

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) lists widespread Saturday cancellations, with the airport and multiple carriers confirming cuts. Winair canceled all flights for August 16 and advised more cancellations or retimes could follow on August 17 as weather remains unfavorable. Additional regional operators, including St Barth Commuter and interCaribbean, flagged severe disruptions across the weekend, shrinking capacity to nearby islands and onward connections. Travelers should verify flight status on the airport's live board and with their airline, and avoid going to the terminal unless their flight is confirmed. Expect inbound and outbound retimes to ripple into Sunday as rotations reset.

USVI airports open, but several flights are canceled

The Virgin Islands Port Authority reports that airports in St. Thomas and St. Croix remain open. However, multiple flights are canceled due to Erin's bands and crosswinds. Notices urge passengers to contact airlines directly for rebooking or refunds. With port conditions fluctuating and seaport messaging in effect, expect short-notice changes to both air and ferry schedules. The territory's emergency agency has also accelerated sandbag distribution and preparedness steps, underscoring the risk for localized flooding and brief power interruptions that can further complicate operations.

Big-three U.S. carrier waivers and what they cover right now

American, Delta, and United have posted weather waivers this week tied to Erin's impacts on U.S. East Coast hubs, allowing fee-free date changes within published windows. Delta's waiver allowed customers traveling on August 13 or 14 through select Northeast airports to rebook for travel through August 16 without a fare difference, subject to origin and destination rules. United and American direct travelers to their travel-alert pages for the latest eligibility, which carriers update as conditions evolve. For Caribbean stations affected by Erin's rain bands, some regional carriers have also issued event-specific cancellation lists and advisories.

Analysis

Airline networks in the northern Leewards are highly interdependent, relying on short-haul spokes that feed a few mainline banks into U.S. and European hubs. When a Category 5 hurricane passes just north, even without a direct landfall, wind, rain, and low ceilings are enough to pause commuter turboprops and strand aircraft out of position. That is why Winair's blanket cancellation at SXM cascades into thinner options across St. Barthélemy, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Anguilla, and why interCaribbean and other regionals quickly pare schedules. With the Virgin Islands airports open but posting scrubs, carriers keep staffing in place to seize any safe operating window, yet rotations will take a day or two to normalize. For U.S. travelers, the practical effect is fewer same-day rescue options and higher spill into Miami, Charlotte, Newark, New York, and Atlanta once weather lifts. Use waivers proactively, target first morning departures, and accept overnighting if it guarantees a seat. If you are connecting to cruises or tours, coordinate with suppliers now for late-arrival contingencies.

Final Thoughts

Erin's track keeps the eye north of the islands, but the region's aviation is already disrupted. Expect cancellations at SXM and trims in the USVI and Puerto Rico to echo into Sunday as aircraft and crews realign. U.S. airline waivers offer a pressure valve, but seats will be tight on the first recovery waves. Confirm status before leaving for the airport, build overnight buffers for critical trips, and watch for extended surf hazards along the U.S. East Coast midweek. Staying flexible is the best response to Hurricane Erin cancellations.