AIRPORT--Windward Islands Airways International Winair ceased all flights since early Sunday to give its pilots enough time to take its six aircraft to Dominica and St. Lucia as a safety precaution during the passing of Hurricane Earl on Monday.

Winair has four Twin Otters and two Gulf Stream aircraft. The airline has the most flights in and out of Princess Juliana International Airport. It is also the main means of airlift for Saba and St. Eustatius which are also under hurricane warning.

Most of the other flights in and out of the airport will continue to operate until 5:00pm when it will shut down until the "all clear" is given by the head of the Emergency Operating Centre EOC Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt. The "all clear" should come later on Monday.