American Airlines, InterCaribbean flight diverted to St Kitts from Antigua amid adverse weather

St Kitts and Nevis: American Airlines 2580 (737-800) flight and InterCaribbean Airways' E-145 were both diverted to St Kitts and Nevis as they were unable to land at the V.C. Bird International Airport. The diversion was made on Thursday afternoon due to the bad weather in Antigua and Barbuda, which has been causing heavy winds for the last two days. According to the reports, American Airlines 2580 (737-800), which was operating from Miami to Antigua yesterday, was diverted to St Kitts' Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport. [caption id="attachment_67811" align="aligncenter" width="500"] American Airlines flight taking off from Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport, St Kitts (PC - Facebook)[/caption]

After refuelling, a second attempt was made to head back to Antigua, but sadly, the outcome was the same. The flight flew over St Kitts and went to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The interCaribbean Airways E-145 operating Providenciales (PLS) to Antigua (ANU) was also diverted to St Kitts yesterday afternoon from Antigua. The diversion was again caused due to bad weather, and this flight took some fuel and stayed on the ground for a few hours before departing to Barbados at 6 pm. [caption id="attachment_67810" align="aligncenter" width="547"] interCaribbean Airways E-145 operating Providenciales (PLS) to Antigua (ANU) was diverted to St Kitts[/caption]

On the same day, two other American Airlines flights departed from Anguilla, while one remained grounded.

The reports added that the Tortola-bound American Airlines flight faced challenges because it was diverted to Anguilla because of adverse weather conditions. The aircraft later resumed its journey, redirecting to Puerto Rico to ensure passenger safety.

These issues in flights are being caused because of the adverse weather conditions across the Caribbean, which forces the pilots to make immediate decisions keeping in mind the well being of passengers.

Several schools have also been shut down due to the inclement weather affecting Antigua & Barbuda and the Flash Flood Warning in place.

Meanwhile, the social media users lauded the pilot's for immediate decision and also said that it is a heart wrenching moment for the passengers.

"I know how heart wrenching that can be. I had the same experience on an AmericanEagle heading to St Kitts, we circled the Airport two separate days and had to return back to Puerto Rico," wrote a user named Ridney Scott Tross.

Also, the member of emergency staff at JNF Hospital, St Kitts, Altus Shakespeare Charles, said, "Why fly back to their closest hub having spent a few hours on our ground? Our Hotels would've been thrilled to accommodate both airline passengers."

"This is where marketing comes in. I mean, they are already at a safe point to their destination. Why go all the way to PR and BRB for some long hours, and ANU is only 15-20 min away? Logistically, St.Kitts is capable of handling any situation of this nature," he added.