After Hurricane Maria, First Commercial Flight Returns to San Juan

The first commercial flight has returned to San Juans Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico after the destination was devastated by the passage of Hurricane Maria.

According to the latest update from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), five American Airlines flights from Miami and Philadelphia are scheduled to arrive at the airport today. Delta and JetBlue are considering the resumption of limited service September 23.

SJUs official Twitter account released the following video of the first flight landing:

In hotel news, the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort reports that it is currently assessing damage, and has relaxed its cancellation policies so guests can cancel or rebook without penalty.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico Wednesday, with Governor Ricardo Rosello calling it the most devastating storm to hit the island this century, if not in modern history. The storm knocked out power to 100 percent of the island, and officials from the islands power company estimate that service may not be restored for four to six months.

The storm also destroyed more than 80 percent of the homes in the Juana Matos neighborhood of Catano, a suburb of San Juan.

In cruise news, there has been no official word yet on when the Port of San Juan will reopen. In its latest update Royal Caribbean called the timing of the reopening uncertain and said that it was tentatively rescheduling Adventure of the Seas September 23 sailing out of San Juan to depart September 27, on a three-night itinerary to Antigua and St. Kitts.

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