Owais Crawford
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) has a history of closing during hurricanes. In 2022, the airport was closed during Hurricane Ian, with visitors finding it hard to secure tickets out of the airport. In 2023, the airport closed for Hurricane Idalia, and in 2024, it was shut down ahead of Hurricane Milton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Sarasota Bradenton International Airport |
| Airport Code | SRQ |
| Hurricane | Ian |
| Airport Status | Closed |
| Reopening Date | 8 am, August 30th (pending damage assessment) |
| Airport President and CEO | Rick Piccolo |
| Waiver of Change/Cancellation Fees | Yes (by JetBlue) |
| Flight Cancellations | None as of Monday morning |
| Air Traffic Control Tower Status | Closed when winds exceed 75 mph |
| Ticket Availability | Difficult |
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What You'll Learn
- Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed in preparation for Hurricane Ian
- The airport locked up with only essential personnel on duty
- Airlines waived fees for travellers flying out of Florida
- The airport's air traffic control tower closes when winds exceed 75 mph
- Sarasota Bradenton International Airport remained closed after Hurricane Milton
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed in preparation for Hurricane Ian
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) closed in preparation for Hurricane Ian, which was approaching Florida as a Tropical Storm. The airport's president and CEO, Rick Piccolo, said there had been no flight cancellations at SRQ as of Monday morning, but the airport had been monitoring the storm since the previous week.
Ahead of the storm, visitors found tickets out of Sarasota Bradenton and other Florida airports scarce and challenging to obtain. JetBlue waived change and cancellation fees for customers travelling from several Florida airports, including Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, due to the storm.
The airport was locked and secured during the closure, with only essential personnel such as police, firefighters, and maintenance staff remaining on duty. The air traffic control tower was also closed, following standard procedure when winds reach 75 mph.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was not the only airport in the region to close as a precaution. Nearby, Tampa's airport, covering 3,300 acres, was closed for four days due to Hurricane Milton, which hit the state two years after Hurricane Ian.
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The airport locked up with only essential personnel on duty
In preparation for Hurricane Ian, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) will be locked up with only essential personnel on duty. The airport is expected to close to all air traffic, with the terminal locked and secured. This proactive measure is implemented to ensure the safety of travellers and staff, as seats on flights out of the airport are in high demand and scarce.
SRQ's closure will leave the airport with a limited crew, including police, firefighters, and maintenance staff. This essential team will remain on the premises to safeguard the airport and address any issues that may arise during the hurricane. Their presence is crucial for maintaining the airport's security and addressing any emergencies.
The decision to lock up the airport and retain only essential personnel is a standard procedure for airports in the path of an impending hurricane. By following this protocol, SRQ can minimise potential damage to its facilities and equipment, as well as ensure the safety and well-being of its staff and travellers. This proactive approach demonstrates the airport's commitment to safety and preparedness.
While the airport is closed, the air traffic control tower will also be closed. According to protocol, the air traffic control tower closes whenever winds reach 75 mph to ensure the safety of the air traffic controllers. This procedure will be followed during Hurricane Ian to protect the essential personnel in the tower.
The airport's president and CEO, Rick Piccolo, has been monitoring Hurricane Ian closely since the previous week. While there were no cancellations as of Monday morning, Piccolo anticipated full flights as people sought to evacuate the area. SRQ's proactive measures, including locking up the airport and retaining essential personnel, reflect its commitment to safety and efficient operations during this challenging time.
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Airlines waived fees for travellers flying out of Florida
Hurricane Ian is expected to hit Florida, prompting airlines to waive fees for travellers flying out of the state. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) will close to all air traffic from 7 pm tonight until 8 am tomorrow, pending a damage assessment. SRQ is not alone in its decision to close during the storm, as other Florida airports are also taking precautions to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff.
United Airlines has announced that it will waive change fees and fare differences for flights scheduled to or from nine Florida airports, including Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, from October 7 to 12. Additionally, United has added extra flights this week to accommodate more customers. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, the airline reported that all its flights out of Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Sarasota were fully booked for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. United also capped prices for Florida flights on Sunday.
American Airlines is also waiving change fees for customers scheduled to fly through 12 Florida airports from October 8 to 10. They have scheduled additional flights out of Florida this week and capped fares for flights leaving out of impacted airports.
Delta Airlines is waiving fare differences for passengers travelling through nine Florida airports from October 7 to 10. Affected customers can rebook their flights by October 15 or cancel their reservation and receive a credit for the fare, valid for one year from the initial ticket issue date. Delta has also capped fares for the impacted airports.
Southwest Airlines is allowing passengers scheduled to fly through 13 Florida airports from October 8 to 12 to rebook or travel standby within 14 days of the original ticket without incurring additional fees. Customers whose flights are cancelled or who choose not to travel due to major delays can request refunds.
It is important to note that these policies may change as the hurricane approaches, and travellers are advised to check with their specific airline for the most up-to-date information.
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The airport's air traffic control tower closes when winds exceed 75 mph
While I could not find specific information on whether Sarasota Airport is closing for Ian, I did find information on the airport closing due to wind speed.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) closes its air traffic control tower when winds exceed 75 mph. In the event of impending severe weather, the airport implements a comprehensive safety protocol to ensure the well-being of travellers, staff, and aircraft. This protocol includes closely monitoring weather conditions and making timely decisions about airport operations.
When winds surpass 75 mph, the air traffic control tower is temporarily closed. This closure is a safety precaution to protect air traffic controllers and personnel working in the tower. High winds can create unsafe conditions for anyone in the tower, and the closure ensures their security while still allowing for other airport operations to continue if safe to do so.
During high wind events, the airport may remain open for flights to depart and arrive, but air traffic control services are typically transferred to a different location, such as a regional radar facility. Pilots can continue to use the airport's runways, but they receive guidance from the remote air traffic control location instead of the on-site tower. This arrangement ensures that aircraft movements remain coordinated and safe even without the physical presence of the tower staff.
The decision to close the air traffic control tower is made by airport authorities in collaboration with meteorological experts and aviation safety specialists. They carefully analyse wind speed data, storm tracking information, and other relevant factors to determine if the conditions warrant such a closure. This decision is typically made with ample advance notice to ensure a smooth transition to the alternative air traffic control arrangements.
By implementing this safety protocol, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport prioritises the well-being of all involved while maintaining operational efficiency. This proactive approach allows the airport to balance the needs of travellers and staff while adapting to challenging weather conditions.
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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport remained closed after Hurricane Milton
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport remained closed for about a week after sustaining strong winds and damage from Hurricane Milton. The airport suspended flights and travel ahead of the hurricane on October 8 at 4 p.m., with the last departure at 6 p.m. The Category 3 hurricane caused damage to two large portions of the roof' membrane in the main terminal, similar to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Ian two years prior. The airport CEO and President, Rick Piccolo, estimated the damages to amount to at least $10 million.
Hurricane Milton also inflicted water damage below the roof and severely damaged several hangars for private aircraft. The storm brought sustained winds of 102 mph, as clocked by an SRQ wind gauge. Repairs began after staff assessed the damage, and contractors met with Piccolo to determine the next steps. Despite initial hopes to reopen by Saturday afternoon, the airport remained closed until the following Wednesday morning.
During the closure, SRQ officials announced on social media that repairs to the terminal roof had been successfully completed, and the airport reopened to the public as planned on Wednesday, with flights resuming at 9 a.m. Sarasota Bradenton International was the last airport to reopen in Southwest Florida following Hurricane Milton's landfall.
Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Milton, the airport had also experienced high demand and limited seat availability as visitors sought to fly out ahead of Hurricane Ian in September 2022. Multiple Florida airports, including Tampa International Airport, had announced temporary closures at that time as Hurricane Ian approached the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sarasota Bradenton Airport is closing for Hurricane Ian. Visitors are finding it hard to get seats on flights out of the airport.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport is closed until a target reopening date of Oct. 16, 2022.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport has waived change and cancellation fees for customers traveling Monday through Friday from SRQ, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville.
When a hurricane approaches, the airport is locked up and only essential personnel, including police, firefighters, and maintenance, remain on duty. The air traffic control tower closes whenever winds hit 75 mph.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport remained closed for repairs after Hurricane Milton hit in 2024. The airport's president and CEO, Rick Piccolo, had originally aimed for a reopening date of Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, but after assessing roof and water damage, he said it wasn't looking "favorable."
