As hurricane approaches, London, Ont., newlyweds stranded in Jamaica due to WestJet strike
Newlyweds from London, Ont., are trapped in Jamaica, as Category 5 Hurricane Beryl approaches.
“We got married, and we took off for our honeymoon on Monday, so we were doing a Monday to Monday,” said Jeff Cain, who is still in Jamaica with his newlywed wife, Amanda. “We were supposed to come back July 1.”
The couple was not able to get home due to the WestJet strike and flight cancellations, and now the hurricane is approaching the island.
As islanders work to cut down trees and board up buildings, it means the Cains will not be home to see family and friends anytime soon.
Newlyweds Jeff and Amanda Cain of London, Ont. are stranded in Jamaica due to the three-day WestJet strike (Source: Jeff Cain)
“They are officially closing the Montego Bay Airport tonight, so we're officially stranded in Jamaica until after this hurricane," said Cain.
The extra stay is costing them money out of pocket, as they say WestJet offered about $300 financial compensation.
Two days after WestJet and its airline mechanics ended a strike, flights are starting to resume at London, Ont., International Airport (LIA).
“We had the redeye flight arrive overnight and the morning flight departed at about 6:35 a.m.,” said Scott McFadzean, president and CEO of LIA.
“We did get one inbound and outbound Calgary flight into London, but this evening's (Tuesday) flights has been cancelled”.
While the Cains are trying to get back to London, others are trying to leave.
“I was supposed to go home today, and there are some rumors that we might be able to go home on Wednesday,” says Ishan Manerikar, a member of the Calgary Selects of the Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association, who is stuck in London.
The Selects flew 3,000 kilometres for this weekend's National Electric Wheelchair Tournament in London, but can't leave.
“Not being able to go back home is certainly not what we signed up for,” Manerikar said.
The dispute between the airline and nearly 700 workers, whose daily inspections and repairs are essential to operations, forced the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights.
More than 100,000 guests were impacted and 55 of the airline's 180 fleet remain grounded.
WestJet acknowledged the damage to Canadians and the airline is massive. The Mechanics Association say they regret disruption caused to the public.
The wheelchair hockey players say the airline has left them in the dark.
“They (WestJet) put their hands up and say you fend for yourself,” said Gerald Doucette, the Selects assistant captain.
Gerald Doucette of Calgary is stranded in London, Ont. due to WestJet flight cancelations. He says the airline threw its hands up and told him to fend for himself (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)
“We are on disability, so we don't even have any extra money to pay for hotel.”
McFadzean hopes all flights will be on schedule Wednesday.
“All the information we have from WestJet is saying, that's the case,” said McFadzean.
“Of course things can change. Right now it looks like everything will depart, as scheduled, but if you are traveling, I would suggest staying closely in tune with WestJet and checking our website regularly for any updates.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Haitian gang kills at least 70 people, including 3 infants, UN says
Armed men belonging to the Gran Grif gang killed at least 70 people, including three infants, as they swept through a Haitian town shooting automatic rifles at residents, a spokesperson for the United Nations' Human Rights Office said on Friday.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.