Owais Crawford
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was closed ahead of Hurricane Milton on October 8, 2024, and remained closed for repairs after the hurricane caused significant damage to the airport. The airport's CEO, Rick Piccolo, estimated the damage to be worth $10 million or more. Repairs were initially expected to be completed by Saturday afternoon, but the reopening was pushed back to Wednesday morning. The airport finally reopened on October 16, 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Sarasota Bradenton International Airport |
| Location | 6000 Airport Circle Sarasota, FL |
| Date of closing | October 8, 2024 |
| Reason for closing | Repairs due to damage from Hurricane Milton |
| Areas affected | Two sections of the roof over the main concourse, gates, and the security checkpoint |
| Estimated damage cost | $10 million |
| Reopening date | October 16, 2024 |
| Status | Open for private aviation with small aircraft |
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What You'll Learn
Sarasota Bradenton Airport closed due to Hurricane Milton
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was closed due to Hurricane Milton, which caused extensive damage to the airport. The airport suspended flights and travel ahead of the hurricane on October 8 at 4 pm, with Tampa International closing down earlier the same day. An SRQ wind gauge clocked sustained winds at a formidable 102 mph during the storm. The hurricane inflicted severe damage on the airport, notably ripping off the entire roof over Concourse B and causing water damage below. Several hangars for private aircraft were also significantly damaged.
Airport CEO and President Rick Piccolo stayed overnight in the airport to oversee the situation. He initially aimed to resume flights by Saturday afternoon, but the extent of the damage necessitated more time for repairs. Contractors met with Piccolo on Friday morning to determine the subsequent repair steps.
The Sarasota Bradenton Airport's website provided updates on the situation, indicating that all flights for Friday, October 11, had been canceled. The airport did not announce a reopening date at that time, instead instructing customers to contact their airlines for flight status information.
The airport remained closed until its target reopening date of October 16, when repairs were completed. The closure duration was relatively longer compared to other airports in the region, underscoring the significant impact of Hurricane Milton on Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
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Repairs to the airport roof were needed
The hurricane caused damage to two sections of the roof over the main concourse, which includes gates and the security checkpoint. The airport CEO, Rick Piccolo, said that there was also water damage below, and that he believed the damage to be worth "$10 million, if not more".
Repairs began on Thursday after staff assessed the damage, with contractors meeting with Piccolo to determine the next steps. The airport had hoped to reopen by Saturday afternoon, but this was later pushed back to the following Wednesday. During the repairs, the airport parking lots and access for car rental purposes remained open, and private aviation with small aircraft were able to use the airport's airfield.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was not the only airport affected by Hurricane Milton. Tampa International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, and Southwest Florida International Airport also sustained damage and were forced to close.
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The airport suspended flights ahead of the hurricane
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport suspended flights ahead of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9. The airport halted flights and travel on October 8 at 4 p.m., with Tampa International Airport closing down earlier that day. An SRQ wind gauge recorded sustained winds of 102 mph during the storm.
The airport's CEO and President, Rick Piccolo, stayed overnight and reported that the hurricane's second wall had a significant impact on the roof, causing damage over the concourse. This was the second section of the roof to be damaged, with repairs beginning after staff assessed the destruction. Piccolo expressed his hope to finish repairs by the end of the week, allowing flights to resume by Saturday afternoon. However, he later acknowledged that it might take longer than initially anticipated.
The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was not the only one affected by Hurricane Milton. Across Florida, several airports shut down ahead of the Category 3 hurricane to ensure the safety of travelers and staff. Tampa International Airport, for instance, suspended operations on October 8 and shared plans to reopen as soon as it was deemed safe, following a damage assessment.
Hurricane Milton caused substantial damage to airports and infrastructure in Florida. The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport alone faced an estimated $10 million in damages, including debris, roof damage, and hangars that were heavily damaged or destroyed. Repairs were completed, and the airport reopened on October 16, with private aviation services becoming available earlier.
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Other Florida airports also closed
Hurricane Milton caused several Florida airports to close, including Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which was closed due to roof damage. The airport suspended flights ahead of the hurricane on October 8 at 4 pm, with all flights for Friday, October 11, also cancelled. The airport CEO and President, Rick Piccolo, initially aimed to reopen by Saturday, October 16, but repairs took longer than expected.
Tampa International Airport also closed down on October 8, and it reopened four days later on Friday, October 11, at 8 am. The spokeswoman, Emily Nipps, said the airport sustained more damage than in recent memory, with scaffolding lost and equipment damaged.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers reopened to travellers on Friday, October 11, at 4 am, with airlines bringing aircraft in at 9 am. The spokeswoman, Vicki Moreland, said the airport fared much better during Hurricane Milton than during Hurricane Ian two years prior.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport remained closed on Friday, October 11, with no announced reopening date at that time.
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Sarasota Bradenton Airport has now reopened
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has now reopened after being closed due to damage from Hurricane Milton. The airport suspended flights and travel ahead of the hurricane on October 8 at 4 pm, with sustained winds of 102 mph clocked during the storm. The hurricane caused extensive damage to the airport, including two sections of the main concourse roof, water damage, scaffolding loss, and equipment damage. Repairs began as soon as staff were able to assess the damage, with CEO Rick Piccolo initially hoping for a reopening by Saturday afternoon. However, the extent of the damage meant that the airport remained closed until a target reopening date of October 16.
During the closure, travellers were advised to contact their airlines directly for information about flight status and updates. The airport's parking lots and access for car rental purposes remained open, and private aviation with small aircraft were able to use the airport's airfield. Repairs to the airport have now been completed, and regular operations have resumed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) closed ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall on October 9. The airport sustained around $10 million in damages and was initially set to reopen on October 16.
Sarasota Airport suspended flights and travel ahead of Hurricane Milton on October 8 at 4 pm.
Sarasota Airport reopened on October 16 after repairs were completed. Private aviation with small aircraft were allowed to use the airport's airfield before it reopened for passenger flights on October 13.
