Instruction to airlines not to fly to Mexico OCT 18 onwards

[pjjc38]

Is anybody able to confirm (or otherwise) that the Foreign Office advised or instructed British tour operators not to fly holidaymakers to Cancun and others areas potentially affected by Hurricane Wilma from October 18 onwards?

[kms901]

All I know is that a friend of mine had her holiday to Mexico City cancelled at short notice last week.

[DoNotFeed]

Our ships are out of CUN at least till 13.11

seeya

[TightSlot]

pjjc38 - Does your question result from planned or ongoing litigation?

[pjjc38]

neither planned or ongoing

[TimS]

Still Current at: 29 October 2005
Updated: 28 October 2005


Mexico


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Natural Disasters section. The overall level of the advice has not changed.


SUMMARY


Hurricane Wilma hit the north eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico between 21 and 23 October, including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and nearby islands. There has been extensive damage to the tourist infrastructure, including to many hotels. There is currently limited electricity and fixed line (none in Cancun) and mobile telecommunications. Flooding is extensive and fallen trees are commonplace. Travel is severely affected. You are advised to stay out of affected areas where possible.

The majority of British tourists have now been evacuated from shelters and Cancun. A limited and tightly controlled day-time evacuation service has been operating from Cancun airport. You should keep in touch, and follow instructions of the local authorities and your tour operator. For independent travellers, buses are running from Merida to Villahermosa and flights are available on to Mexico City, where some hotels are offering free rooms. In addition, the FCO has chartered an aircraft to help with the evacuation of independent travellers. You should contact the British Embassy in Mexico City for details.

You should contact family and friends if possible to let them know your plans. The Mexican telephone company, TELMEX, has advised that visitors can make international reverse charge calls by dialling 090 and asking for the operator. For those in distress, British Embassy officials are still checking resort hotels and shelters in the area. In Cancun, they can be contacted at the office of the British Honorary Consulate in the Royal Sands Hotel.

The FCO Emergency Unit line (020 7008 0000) has now closed. It will re-open on Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October from 09:30 until 17:00. Please also see: FCO Factsheet: Hurricane Wilma.

As a result of Tropical Depression Stan, there is still flooding in parts of Chiapas and transport is affected, particularly in and around Tapachula and the nearby border crossing into Guatemala. Disruption is expected to continue for several days and you should consult your travel agent or monitor local media for further information.

Most visits to Mexico are trouble-free, but be warned that street crime and kidnappings are on the increase. You should be particularly alert in tourist areas (especially on public transport and when dealing with real or purported policemen) and exercise caution when withdrawing money from cashpoints or exchanging money at Bureaux de Change.

The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.

For fuller details go to:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386217


Obviously public info rather than specific to tour operators (that you appear to be looking for) , but no official statement to them has has been made as far as I can ascertain

[bingomakintosh]

Based on what I've seen here in Florida, I would be surprised if there are any tourist flights into Cancun for the next 2 weeks. Here in Ft' Lauderdale we got hit by a stong category 2 hurricane and we have just started limited commercial flights. Cancun was the resting place for Wilma for nearly 3 days at at the minimum of a category 1 hurricane. I'm sure they will not resume ops normal for at least 1 more month.

Flights to Cancun have to ensure return fuel as to the current status of fuel is unknown. This limits aircraft to large BJ's and airliners.

BM