Now Hurricane Ike Disrupts Travel Plans : Kathika Travel Website

By Amanda Kendle

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Just a couple of weeks ago it was Hurricane Gustav that caught the attention of many travelers who wondered variously if they’d get to their destination or if they’d get home – not to mention everyone whose homes and lives were under threat.

This week it’s Hurricane Ike that’s got everybody worried – and it’s disrupting plenty of travel plans again too.

The Origins of Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike started forming way down near Africa back in August and worked its way up to become a Category 4 hurricane by September 4. On its way towards the United States mainland, Ike caused considerable damage to Haiti (where its effects also contributed to 75 deaths), the Turks and Caicos and in Cuba, where a million people had to be evacuated and four people were killed.

Hurricane Ike’s Weekend Path

Early on September 12, Hurricane Ike was located south-east of Texas and although it was only a Category 2, the predictions are that it will most likely strengthen to a Category 3 and has the potential to cause widespread damage. Since Hurricane Ike has been as high as a Category 4 when it’s been traveling over the open ocean, many people are fearing for the worst.

The current predictions have Hurricane Ike landing on the north-eastern coast of Texas tomorrow morning (Saturday September 13) with hurricane warnings existing in parts of Texas and Louisiana and tropical storm warnings current for other parts of Texas and Louisiana as well as Mississippi.

Air Travelers and the Effects of Hurricane Ike

As in the case when Hurricane Gustav swept through, many travelers will find their flights canceled. Airports in Houston, for example, are in all practicality closed, with airlines canceling flights. But again, like in the situation with Hurricane Gustav,many airlines have agreed to come to the party and provide flexible re-booking arrangements under certain conditions. For example:

Continental Airlines is offering to waive the booking alteration fees and not increase the fare for passengers who had a ticket flying in or out of the affected region for September 8 to 11, as long as the new flight is on or before September 18; if you book a later flight, you won’t pay fees but may have to pay a higher fare.
American Airlines is doing something similar for passengers booked to fly between September 10 and 15, as long as you bought your ticket no later than September 9; but your new flights must begin before September 20.
Southwest Airlines is also offering a similar deal to passengers booked between September 10 and 15 flying in or out of Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Houston Hobby or San Antonio, providing the new booking is no more than 14 days after your original booking date – the most flexible out of these airlines.