Colombia Quake Disrupts Seven Airports

What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled

Start by checking your airline app, booking email and official flight-status page before travelling to the airport. If your flight is cancelled, look for a rebooking option inside the airline account first, as this is often faster than waiting in a phone queue. If your new itinerary creates an overnight stay, ask the airline what assistance is available, but also contact your travel insurer before committing to expensive alternatives. Keep screenshots of cancellation notices, delay messages and rebooking attempts, because these can be useful evidence for insurance claims or refunds.

Compensation, Refunds And Insurance

Earthquake disruption is generally treated differently from routine airline operational delays because it is caused by a natural event outside the airline’s control. That means passengers may have stronger claims for rebooking, refunds or insurance reimbursement than for fixed cash compensation. If your flight is cancelled, ask the airline whether you are entitled to rerouting, a refund, or a fee-free date change under its disruption policy. Travellers with comprehensive insurance should check cover for natural disasters, missed connections, travel delay, additional accommodation and unused trip costs.

Should You Switch To Road Travel?

Do not automatically replace a cancelled flight with a long road journey without checking local conditions first. A strong earthquake can affect roads, bridges, landslide-prone mountain routes and public transport, especially in western Colombian regions where terrain can be challenging. If you are considering buses, private transfers or rental cars, confirm the route with local authorities, your hotel or a reputable transport provider. Safety should come before speed, particularly if aftershocks, damaged infrastructure or emergency response activity are still affecting the area.

Best Strategy For The Next 48 Hours

If your travel is non-essential, the safest approach is to delay movement until your airline confirms operations and airport authorities have cleared facilities for commercial flights. If you must travel, build in a larger connection buffer and avoid tight same-day international departures after a regional flight. Travellers already at an affected airport should follow staff instructions, keep phones charged and avoid leaving secure areas unless told to do so. Those not yet at the airport should wait for confirmed updates rather than joining queues that may not move.

Longer-Term Outlook

The timeline for normal operations depends on the extent of airport damage, the results of safety inspections and the ability of airlines to reposition aircraft and crew. Even after airports reopen, backlogs can cause crowded flights and limited seat availability for several days. Travellers with fixed commitments should consider flexible accommodation, refundable onward transport and realistic buffer days around domestic flights. The key is to keep checking official sources, act early on airline waivers and avoid making irreversible changes until you know which airports and routes are operating.