AIR Jamaica, the national airline, has cancelled today's scheduled flights in and out of Barbados, Antigua, Grenada and St Lucia, as Hurricane Ivan bears down on the Eastern Caribbean.

The affected flights are:

. JM092 from New York to Grenada, Barbados and Montego Bay

. JM094 from New York to Antigua, St Lucia and Montego Bay

. JM095 from Montego Bay to Antigua, St Lucia and New York

. JM097 from Montego Bay to Grenada, Barbados and New York

The airline said it has put measures in place to assist passengers whose travel plans may be affected by the category four hurricane, which is expected to affect the Eastern Caribbean over the next couple of days.

Air Jamaica passengers who are booked to travel to/from Barbados, Grenada and St Lucia during the period September 6 - September 13, may change their itinerary without penalty, subject to the following conditions:

. Passengers must already be in possession of a ticket.

. Passengers will be guaranteed the same fare they were originally ticketed for, within the applicable fare parameters.
Tickets with an expiry date during the affected period will be extended for travel to September 17, 2004. Passengers are advised to keep a record of their locator number.

. A request for deferral of travel must be made prior to the original travel date.

. Passengers who elect not to travel will be issued a voucher for future travel for the full value of the ticket without penalty.

See related story on Website

Minister Grange tours new BBC studios

Guinness Sounds of Greatness creating a dancehall for everyone

Tarrus Riley shoots video for Start Anew