Jazmin Li
Hurricane Ian hit Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday morning as a Category 4 hurricane, causing Orlando International Airport to close for two days. The hurricane was one of the strongest storms ever to hit the US, bringing destructive winds, life-threatening storm surges, and heavy rain. Tens of thousands of flights were cancelled, and the airport management advised customers to contact their airlines for specific information about their journeys. The airport resumed passenger flights on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 12 pm ET, after a thorough investigation of property damage and a careful consideration for the safety of the travelling public and airport employees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Orlando International Airport closing for Idalia | The airport said it anticipates staying open amid Hurricane Idalia's landfall |
| Operational changes | MCO is open and operational |
| Flight disruptions | Delays, cancellations, and bag delivery delays are expected |
| Traveler advisory | Travelers are urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates |
| Social media updates | MCO said it will post on its social media channels if any operational changes occur |
| Tampa International Airport | Planning to open at 4 pm for arriving flights on Wednesday and resume normal operations at 3 am |
| St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport | Closed at 3 pm Tuesday and expected to reopen Wednesday at 3 pm |
| Fort Myers International Airport | Flights continue on Tuesday |
| Additional flights | Some airlines, including United Airlines, have added additional flights from Orlando and Sarasota International airports |
| Theme parks | Universal Orlando will open at 9 am on Wednesday |
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What You'll Learn
Orlando International Airport remains open
As Hurricane Idalia approached Florida, Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced that it would remain open and operational. In a post on Twitter, the airport stated that it would continue to operate as the hurricane made landfall in the Big Bend region. However, travellers were warned to expect disruptions, including flight delays, cancellations, and baggage delivery delays. The airport advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates and monitor its social media channels for any changes in operations.
While some airports in Florida closed in anticipation of the hurricane, such as Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, Orlando International Airport remained accessible to travellers. The airport operators kept a close eye on the hurricane's progress, and airlines like United Airlines added extra flights from Orlando to accommodate those wishing to leave the area.
The decision to keep the airport open was made as Idalia's path took it towards Florida's Gulf Coast. The hurricane was expected to strengthen into a major storm with winds of up to 125 mph, threatening life-threatening storm surges, destructive winds, and torrential rain. Despite this, Orlando International Airport continued to serve as a gateway for travellers entering and exiting the state.
The airport's resilience during Hurricane Idalia can be attributed to its robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures. By staying open, the airport played a crucial role in ensuring the flow of passengers and providing alternative travel options for those affected by closures at other airports in the region.
While Orlando International Airport remained functional, travellers were not immune to the storm's impact. Those passing through the airport experienced the aforementioned disruptions and were advised to stay updated through their chosen airline and the airport's social media channels. The airport's ability to maintain operations during the hurricane demonstrated its commitment to serving the travelling public and minimising inconvenience.
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Travellers are urged to check for updates
As Hurricane Idalia approached Florida, travellers were urged to check for updates as the storm caused flight delays and airport closures across the state. Airports on Florida's Gulf Coast, including Tampa and St. Pete, closed on Tuesday ahead of the hurricane's arrival.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) said it would remain open and operational on Wednesday morning, but travellers were urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates as flight disruptions were expected. The airport also said it would post on its social media channels if any operational changes occurred.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Pensacola International Airport (PNS), and Key West International Airport (EYW) all reported no operational changes at the time of the announcement. However, Key West International Airport advised travellers to contact their airline regarding flight changes.
Other airports in Florida, including Tampa International Airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, and Punta Gorda Airport, announced closures and expected disruptions due to the hurricane. Travellers across the state were advised to check the status of their flights with their airline providers before heading to the airport.
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Tampa International Airport closed
The National Weather Service had placed the Tampa Bay region under a Hurricane Warning on Monday, prompting the closure of the airport. Tampa International Airport was not alone in this decision, as other airports in the area, such as St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, also shut down in anticipation of the storm. The massive hurricane covered hundreds of miles of the Gulf of Mexico, and pilots flying into and out of Florida had to reroute or even turn back due to Idalia.
Tampa International Airport remained closed until Thursday morning, when damage assessments were conducted. Fortunately, the airport did not sustain any serious damage, aside from some flooding that did not impact the runways. The airport CEO, Joe Lopano, expressed relief that the worst effects of the storm were avoided and commended the abundance of caution taken to safeguard passengers, employees, and facilities. The focus then shifted to resuming full operations and assisting in the recovery efforts for the affected communities in Florida.
The reopening of Tampa International Airport on Thursday morning was coordinated closely with its partners, taking into account roadway safety, facility readiness, and staffing. The airport advised travellers to check with their airlines for the latest information on flight status, as it does not determine airline schedules. The resumption of operations at Tampa International Airport brought relief to the region, with the airport playing a crucial role in both passenger travel and recovery endeavours.
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Fort Myers International Airport remains open
Hurricane Idalia is wreaking havoc on Florida's Gulf Coast, causing airport closures and flight delays. Airports on Florida's Gulf Coast, including Tampa and St. Pete, closed on Tuesday ahead of the hurricane's arrival. However, Fort Myers International Airport remains open, with flights continuing to operate to and from the airport.
Fort Myers' Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in unincorporated Lee County, Florida, and serves the Southwest Florida region, including the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda metropolitan areas. The airport is a major county-owned airport and is one of the newest and busiest single-runway airports in the United States. In 2024, the airport served over 11 million passengers, the most in its history.
Despite Hurricane Idalia's impact on nearby areas, Fort Myers International Airport has not announced any closures as of yet. The airport is currently operational, and flights are still arriving and departing. However, it is important for travellers to note that flight disruptions, including delays, cancellations, and bag delivery delays, may occur due to the hurricane. Therefore, travellers are strongly advised to check the status of their flights with their airline providers before heading to the airport.
Fort Myers International Airport is committed to providing a convenient, comfortable, and stress-free travel experience for its passengers. The airport offers nonstop flights on 15 airlines to 72-74 destinations, including cities in the United States, Canada, Cuba, and Europe. It is also a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry. The airport is easily accessible from several other major Florida airports, including a 2-hour drive from Tampa, 2.5 hours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and 3 hours from Orlando.
While Fort Myers International Airport remains open during Hurricane Idalia, travellers are urged to stay updated and monitor the situation closely. The airport will provide updates on its social media channels and website if any operational changes occur due to the hurricane.
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Orlando Sanford International Airport: no operational changes
As Hurricane Idalia approached Florida, Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) announced no operational changes. However, the airport advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for any flight changes. This is because Idalia's impact caused flight disruptions, including delays, cancellations, and bag delivery delays across Florida.
Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport were among the airports that closed ahead of the storm. Fort Myers International Airport and several other international and regional airports across Florida remained open, with some airlines offering additional flights.
The massive hurricane's spread over the Gulf of Mexico forced pilots flying into and out of Florida to reroute. AeroMexico, for instance, creatively rerouted its flight from Miami, resulting in an early arrival. In another instance, a JetBlue flight attempting to land in Havana, Cuba, was rerouted back to the US due to high winds and rain from Idalia.
Florida airports advised travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as hurricane conditions could cause unexpected disruptions. Some airports, like Punta Gorda Airport, planned to remain open as long as conditions were safe, but would close if winds exceeded 50 mph. Similarly, Naples Airport began preparations for Hurricane Idalia, anticipating limited services and encouraging tenants and customers to review storm preparedness plans.
While Orlando Sanford International Airport did not announce any operational changes, travellers were still urged to stay updated with their airlines and monitor the airport's social media channels for any unexpected changes due to the hurricane's impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has stated that it anticipates staying open amid Hurricane Idalia's landfall. However, travellers have been urged to check for updates with their airlines as flight disruptions are expected.
Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport closed ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival.
Orlando Airport has advised travellers to check with their airlines for the latest updates.
Yes, extensive delays for Florida-bound flights are expected as Hurricane Idalia approaches.
Some Florida airports are advising passengers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport. Airports are also securing airport property and making preparations for potential impacts.
