Update: Airlines launch evacuation operations as Hurricane Maria closes in

Air Transat has launched an evacuation operation to get all its travellers out of the Dominican Republic as another Category 5 hurricane spirals through the Caribbean.
Hurricane Maria has devastated the island of Dominica, and is on track to pass near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands late Tuesday to early Wednesday.
Air Transat said it is sending eight aircraft to Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samana. Three aircraft are expected to arrive in Puerto Plata and Samana on Tuesday evening