Travelers in the Caribbean are experiencing significant travel disruptions as Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has grounded several flights, affecting key island connections. On September 13, 2025, flights BWA232, BWA233, and BWA275, which link Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, and Trinidad and Tobago, were canceled, resulting in seven delayed operations. This situation is part of a larger trend of interruptions impacting regional air travel.
Thousands of passengers have been affected by cancellations beyond CAL, including 14 flights by InterCaribbean Airways. These cancellations have caused disruptions at airports in Grenada, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Dominica, the British Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos. The difficulties extend beyond weather-related problems, with issues such as operational constraints and cockpit crew shortages being contributing factors. For instance, on August 20, CAL canceled 37 flights due to a spike in pilot sick calls, affecting both international and domestic flights.
Adding to these challenges, a regional satellite communication outage in May disrupted a crucial system used by CAL and other airlines, leading to delays for flights originating from Trinidad and Tobago to places like Bridgetown, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Georgetown.
This cascade of disruptions has caused passengers to miss connections, endure longer waiting times, and face challenges in securing alternative travel plans. The tourism sectors of islands that rely heavily on air traffic are also experiencing setbacks due to these reliability issues. In response, CAL has pledged to offer relief through methods such as rebooking and refunds, along with improved communication, as they work to stabilize their services.
While the situation remains challenging, there is hope that the measures being taken will enhance reliability and restore confidence in regional air travel. Addressing these operational hurdles is critical for the tourism-dependent economies of the Caribbean islands.