CAL offers free ticket changes in face of Irene

(CNS): As the 2011 Atlantic season’s first hurricane reached category two status the local airline issued a statement, Monday evening, offering free ticket alterations. With Hurricane Irene headed towards the east coast of Florida Cayman Airways said affected customers can change their travel reservations without penalty if they have already purchased tickets to travel on Cayman Airways between Grand Cayman and Miami or Tampa, Florida, from 22 through to 27 August. CAL said it was monitoring the development and path of this storm and would advise the travelling public if flight schedule changes become necessary over the next few days.

“For tickets issued no later than August 21st, 2011, customers will be allowed one change free of charge, the airline stated. “Customers who made a previous change are allowed this additional change at no charge. Customers who wish to cancel their reservations and travel at a later date may be given a voucher for the value of the ticket, good for the next 12 months.”

The hurricane poses no threat to the Cayman Islands at present but it is likely to have become a major storm forecasters stated by the time it reaches the Bahamas on Wednesday. On its current path Hurricane Irene is predicted to reach the Florida coastline by Thursday night.

At 10 am local time on Tuesday Irene was about 70 Miles south of G rand Turk Island and moving toward the west-northwest close to 12 mph. A category two hurricane with winds in excess of 100mph the NHC said hurricane force winds currently extend outward up to 50 miles from the centre with tropical storm force winds extending over 20o miles out.

Cayman Airways Reservations can be reached by calling 345-949-2311 (within the Caribbean) or toll free on 1-800-4-cayman (within the United States).

See more on Irene at the National Hurricane Centre website as well as details of the latest low pressure systems brewing out in the Atlantic.