UK Charters Emergency Flights to Evacuate Britons from Jamaica

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The United Kingdom government has taken urgent measures to assist thousands of British nationals stranded in Jamaica following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. In a swift humanitarian response, chartered flights have been arranged to help citizens return home safely, amid reports of widespread destruction, flooding, and loss of life across the Caribbean.

According to the Foreign Office, an estimated 8,000 Britons are currently in Jamaica. Officials have urged all UK nationals to register their presence with the British High Commission to receive real-time updates on evacuation efforts and relief operations. While the government did not disclose the exact number of chartered planes, it confirmed that British citizens and their immediate families would be able to board the flights, provided they possess valid travel documentation.

Hurricane Melissa, classified as a rare Category Five storm — the most powerful level on the scale — made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, unleashing catastrophic winds and torrential rains that caused extensive flooding, property damage, and power outages across the island. At least five people have been confirmed dead in Jamaica, with another 20 fatalities reported in neighbouring Haiti, as the storm continues to wreak havoc throughout the region.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that the UK’s priority was to ensure the safety of its citizens while supporting Jamaica in the aftermath of the disaster. “The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days will have been,” Cooper stated.

She further explained that the chartered flights would “bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible.” In addition to the evacuation effort, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that the UK government is sending immediate humanitarian aid to Jamaica, drawing on pre-positioned relief supplies from neighbouring Antigua.

The Foreign Office has urged all British nationals to first contact their airlines to check the availability of commercial flights before relying on government-chartered options. It also clarified that individuals from the Windrush generation who hold indefinite leave to remain in the UK are eligible to use the special flights arranged by the government.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Transport Minister, Daryl Vaz, said that authorities were prioritizing humanitarian relief flights as they assess the scale of the devastation and work to restore normal airport operations. On Wednesday, he announced that Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston would initially reopen for relief and emergency flights only. Commercial flights from Kingston are expected to gradually resume from Thursday, depending on weather and infrastructure conditions.

Vaz added that Sangster International Airport, which serves the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay — one of the hardest-hit areas — would also reopen for humanitarian flights on Thursday. However, he cautioned that it remains unclear when full commercial operations will resume, as engineers are still assessing runway damage and terminal safety.

The situation remains tense as Jamaican authorities coordinate rescue operations, deliver food and medical supplies to isolated communities, and begin the long process of recovery. International aid agencies have also stepped in, offering logistical support, emergency shelter, and water purification systems to affected regions.

Hurricane Melissa has been one of the most destructive storms to strike the Caribbean in recent years, drawing comparisons to Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Experts warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms highlight the growing threat posed by climate change to vulnerable island nations.

For the thousands of Britons still stranded, the UK’s evacuation initiative offers a critical lifeline. As the first charter flights prepare for take-off, officials hope that all British nationals wishing to leave will be able to do so safely within the coming days.