St Lucia problems

This has just come down the news wires. Glad everyone seems OK.

A Virgin Atlantic A330 from Tobago to St Lucia and then onwards to the UK suffered storm damage between Tobago and St Lucia yesterday. Engineers examined the plane and decided it needed further examination and possible repairs before it could be cleared to fly again; the weather in St Lucia has been too severe for them to do the checks they need to.

The passengers have been put up in a hotel; at present Virgin don't know if the plane will be OK to fly on or whether other arrangements will be made.

I hope everyone is being taken care of.
I' pretty sure I'd rather be stuck in St Lucia myself

Ac involved was G-VNYC Uptown Girl. River flooded runway at UVF after landing clearance was given. Looks like flight back to LGW was cleared OK though - arrived back at 06.47 on 25th, No movement from there yet though so may be being checked.

Ac involved was G-VNYC Uptown Girl. River flooded runway at UVF after landing clearance was given. Looks like flight back to LGW was cleared OK though - arrived back at 06.47 on 25th, No movement from there yet though so may be being checked.

According to aircraft database, flight radar and AV herald aircraft still at UVF. Having read the incident report it appears the flight crew have done a brilliant job in landing and stopping the aircraft. You know how your heart misses a beat when you come across standing water on the motorway at high speed so imagine landing an aircraft in the darkness and discovering just before touchdown that the runway was flooded.

Full details here

http://avherald.com/h?article=46d97b6f&opt=0

Ac involved was G-VNYC Uptown Girl. River flooded runway at UVF after landing clearance was given. Looks like flight back to LGW was cleared OK though - arrived back at 06.47 on 25th, No movement from there yet though so may be being checked.

According to aircraft database, flight radar and AV herald aircraft still at UVF. Having read the incident report it appears the flight crew have done a brilliant job in landing and stopping the aircraft. You know how your heart misses a beat when you come across standing water on the motorway at high speed so imagine landing an aircraft in the darkness and discovering just before touchdown that the runway was flooded.

Full details here

http://avherald.com/h?article=46d97b6f&opt=0

Indeed, a brilliant job by the crew in very difficult and unexpected circumstances. I do believe that G-VNYC is still on the ground at St Lucia looking at the damage to the aircraft courtesy of AvHerald. I think the airport did open late yesterday (26 Dec) but to smaller aircraft only. The VS planned service from LGW to St Lucia and BA's service to St Lucia were both cancelled yesterday.

Some VS passengers were booked onto the BA service before it was cancelled, which is now expected to leave later this evening from St Lucia.

An update has been posted on the VS website.

Jon