Hurricane Melissa: Cuba Airports, Power, and Travel

Published on Oct 31, 2025, 9:25 am CDT

3 min read

Key points

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba on October 29 as a major hurricane
Authorities temporarily closed Santiago de Cuba and Holguín airports during the storm period
Flooding, landslides, and power outages continue to disrupt transport and services
NHC advisories confirm Melissa moved across eastern Cuba and into the Atlantic by October 31
Travelers should expect rolling schedule changes as airlines restore operations

Impact

Airport Operations: Santiago de Cuba and Holguín saw temporary closures; Havana faced weather-related disruptions as carriers recovery-schedule
Ground Transport: Flooding and debris may block roads, slowing access to airports and intercity travel
Power & Connectivity: Outages can affect check-in, payments, and mobile boarding passes
Rebooking Windows: Monitor airline advisories and use waivers where offered for late-October dates
Cruise & Ferries: Port inspections in the east may delay departures or alter calls

Hurricane Melissa crossed eastern Cuba on October 29 after striking Jamaica, bringing hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and life-threatening flooding to provinces in the east. The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported the storm moved over eastern Cuba on Wednesday, with subsequent advisories showing the system exiting into the Atlantic by Friday, October 31. Travelers should plan for lingering airline recovery operations, road issues from flooding and landslides, and intermittent power and connectivity that can complicate check-in and payments.

Eastern Cuba, the impact zone

Reuters and NHC updates confirm Melissa’s landfall on Cuba’s southern coast of the east on October 29, followed by a track across the region that weakened but kept dangerous rain and surge threats. Cuban and diplomatic alerts flagged flash-flood and landslide risks through midweek, especially in mountainous terrain. Evacuations in the hundreds of thousands were reported as authorities prepared for river flooding and infrastructure damage.

Airport status and flight disruptions

Cuban authorities temporarily closed Antonio Maceo Airport in Santiago de Cuba and Frank País Airport in Holguín on October 28–29 as Melissa approached. Even where terminals reopened, airlines continued to adjust schedules as crews and equipment repositioned and as power and network services stabilized. Travelers should watch for rolling delays or aircraft substitutions as carriers rebuild operations across the island and the wider Caribbean network.

Havana and national ripple effects

While the most destructive weather focused on the east, Havana’s José Martí International Airport experienced weather-related disruption and potential knock-on effects from islandwide logistics, including road conditions and power reliability. Airline advisories, including from large U.S. carriers, indicate ongoing monitoring and operational adjustments for Cuba and adjacent routes as the storm moved away. Check status frequently, and expect gate or timing changes as day-of operations evolve.

Latest developments

By the morning of October 31, NHC bulletins indicated Melissa had moved away from Bermuda over the Atlantic and was expected to transition to an extratropical system later Friday. Even as the storm exits, Cuba’s east faces multi-day flood recession, landslide cleanup, and infrastructure checks that can delay a full return to normal schedules.

Background

The National Hurricane Center issues official tropical cyclone advisories for the Atlantic. After a landfall, hazards often persist beyond wind, with freshwater flooding from slow-moving rain bands causing the most travel-relevant disruption, undermining roads, and complicating airport access. These effects can linger after skies clear, so airline “recovery” schedules typically extend for several days.

Final thoughts

For travel into or within Cuba following Hurricane Melissa, plan generously. Confirm flights the evening before and morning of departure, keep boarding passes downloaded offline, and bring a printed copy when possible. The primary keyword Hurricane Melissa appears here to support findability while reinforcing the main advisory.