Flights from RDU to Jamaica on hold because of hurricane damage

The start of nonstop flights between the Triangle and Jamaica has been postponed as the island nation recovers from a powerful hurricane in the fall.

Breeze Airways expected to begin flying twice a week between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Montego Bay on March 5.

The low-cost carrier now says the start of those flights has been delayed until sometime late this year.

In a written statement, the airline cites “extensive damage to both airport facilities and resorts” in western Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa in late October. Melissa was the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica in recorded history, with sustained winds of 185 mph.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused for our guests and look forward to welcoming them back onboard later in the year,” the airline said.

Breeze is the only airline with announced flights to Jamaica from RDU. Avelo Airlines had flown to Montego Bay from the Triangle twice a week last year but ended that service Jan. 3, saying it wasn’t able to sell enough seats on its Boeing 737 aircraft.

Breeze uses smaller Airbus A220-300 aircraft that seat 137 passengers.

Triangle travelers can fly nonstop from RDU to two other Caribbean islands. Three airlines — Delta, Frontier and JetBlue — offer nonstops to San Juan, Puerto Rico. And Breeze plans to begin nonstops to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 4, joining Avelo and American on that route.