Canadian travellers who hope to vacation in St Maarten during winter will have to change their plans after hurricane damage forced a number of airlines to suspend service.

On its website, Air Canada issued an advisory saying the damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria had resulted in its suspension of flights to the Caribbean island and Puerto Rico. All affected clients can obtain a refund.

The storms had deadly consequences for the residents of the island but no material impact on the results of the airline even though it sent a number of flights to pick up stranded travellers.

Montreal-based Air Transat announced it would begin flights from Montreal and Toronto to Puerto Rico in mid-February, instead of December 24, while its normal service had resumed to most of Cuba.

Transat added its cruise line partners were reviewing winter itineraries in Eastern and Southern Caribbean, and the revisions are expected to be revealed within weeks. Dates of voyage wouldn't change.

Weather-related disruptions prompted Air Transat to expand offerings to sun destinations in Jamaica, Florida, Dominican Republic, and parts of Mexico and Cuba.