Melissa Intensifies, Waivers Issued for Jamaica, Hispaniola

Published on Oct 24, 2025, 9:44 am CDT

4 min read

Key points

NHC warns of life-threatening flooding for Jamaica, Hispaniola
JetBlue and United post waivers for MBJ, KIN windows
Jamaica airports may close if a hurricane warning is issued
PAP operations limited, weather cancellations remain possible
Cuba's east under national meteorology advisories

Impact

What Changed: Melissa is intensifying, with watches and warnings expanded, and airlines issuing waivers for Jamaica.
Why It Matters: Flights to and within Jamaica and Hispaniola may face rolling ground stops, cancellations, and rebooking pressure.
Dates: Greatest disruption risk Saturday-Monday, October 25-27, with impacts possibly lingering into Tuesday.
What To Do: Use airline waivers to move trips out of the peak window; watch airport and cruise updates closely.

Tropical Storm Melissa is strengthening in the central Caribbean and could reach hurricane intensity this weekend, bringing a high risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. The U.S. National Hurricane Center highlights a slow-moving system, which increases rainfall totals and the chance of prolonged airport impacts. Airlines have begun issuing change-fee waivers for Jamaica. Travelers should be ready for rolling ground stops and schedule changes between Saturday, October 25, and Monday, October 27.

Jamaica, Haiti, and Eastern Cuba: What's Posted Now

Watches and warnings. NHC advisories call for life-threatening, potentially catastrophic flooding and landslides in southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through the weekend. A hurricane watch is posted for parts of southern Haiti and tropical storm warnings are in effect for Jamaica.

Airport contingencies in Jamaica. Jamaica's aviation authorities say both Sangster International Airport (MBJ) and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) remain open for now, but both facilities would shutter within 24 hours if the island's hurricane watch is upgraded to a warning. MBJ's operator notes normal operations while monitoring the track.

Haiti operations. Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) has limited operations due to the country's security environment, and many international services remain suspended; any remaining regional operations could still be disrupted by Melissa's weather. Confirm status with your carrier before departure.

Eastern Cuba. Cuba's national meteorology service (INSMET) is issuing Melissa advisories with increasing rain and wind risks flagged for the east, including Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.

Airline Waivers (by carrier and window)

JetBlue. Waiver active for Jamaica due to Melissa, covering Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ) travel on Oct. 25-26, with rebooking through Oct. 31 permitted. Check the carrier's Travel Alerts page for exact terms.

United. System waiver posted for MBJ, with travel dates Oct. 25-27; change rules apply per United's Jetstream notice.

Southwest. Southwest's Travel Advisory hub lists current weather waivers; look for Jamaica/MBJ entries as the storm window begins.

American, Delta, Spirit and others. Monitor each carrier's advisory pages. Some pages may lag postings; if a waiver is not yet listed, one may be added as forecasts evolve. Start with AA Travel Alerts, Delta Advisories, and Spirit Travel Advisory.

Tip: If your airline offers a no-fee change for the Melissa window, move your trip outside Oct. 25-27 and avoid same-day airport lines.

Airport and ATC Impact Outlook (Oct. 25-27)

KIN and MBJ. Expect intermittent ground stops and ramp closures during stronger squalls, along with crew duty-time and recovery delays even between bands. If warnings are upgraded, both airports indicate they will close.

PAP. Given limited flight offerings, weather-related cancellations or diversions are possible; U.S. commercial operations to PAP remain restricted by FAA order regardless of weather.

Cruise Line Adjustments

No broad cruise cancellations are posted as of publication, though lines are signaling readiness to alter calls, especially in Jamaica and Haiti. Watch Royal Caribbean's Travel Updates and line-level alerts; Carnival notes itineraries could change if Melissa's track tightens over Jamaica.

Analysis

Melissa's slow crawl is the hazard, not just peak wind. A stationary or near-stationary core can yield multi-day rainfall over mountainous terrain, sending debris onto key roadways to Montego Bay and Kingston and hindering crew positioning. If you can shift travel to Tuesday or later, you'll improve odds of a clean operation, and you will help relieve rebooking pressure on limited weekend seats.

Background. Airline "weather waivers" allow no-fee changes for tickets touching specific airports and dates. Reissue deadlines and new-travel windows vary by carrier and fare class. Always rebook into the same cabin and route family when possible to avoid additional fare collection, and save screenshots of the waiver language tied to your original ticket date.

Final thoughts

Tropical Storm Melissa is intensifying, with the greatest flight disruption risk for Jamaica and southern Hispaniola between Oct. 25 and 27. Use posted waivers, monitor airport notices, and push nonessential travel outside the peak window.