Owais Crawford
As Hurricane Dorian bore down on Florida, Tampa International Airport remained open, with representatives stating that they would do whatever the weather requires. While some airports in the state closed their doors, Tampa International Airport continued operations, preparing for extra passengers as other nearby airports shut down. The airport did experience some cancellations due to the storm, and passengers faced lengthy waits and challenges changing flights. However, Tampa International Airport remained operational throughout the hurricane's passage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tampa Airport Closing for Dorian | Tampa Bay area airports will stay open, including Tampa International Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport |
| Impact on Passengers | Some passengers changed travel plans, while Tampa's airport prepared for extra passengers due to other area airports shutting down |
| Travel Waivers | Airlines offered travel waivers, and passengers were encouraged to contact their airlines for changes to flight schedules |
| Closures in Other Areas | Orlando International Airport closed at 2 a.m. on Monday due to Hurricane Dorian, and other airports in Florida also ceased operations |
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What You'll Learn
- Tampa Bay area airports remained open during Hurricane Dorian
- Orlando International Airport closed at 2 a.m. on Monday
- Tampa International Airport prepared for extra passengers
- Tampa International Airport had 27 cancellations on Tuesday morning
- Fort Lauderdale airport reopened as Dorian moved away from Florida
Tampa Bay area airports remained open during Hurricane Dorian
While Hurricane Dorian caused disruption to many airports in Florida, Tampa Bay area airports remained open. Tampa International Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport continued operations throughout the hurricane.
On Tuesday, as the hurricane approached, Tampa International Airport reported that things were "as normal as possible". There were only 27 cancellations at the airport that day, and crowds at security and ticket counters were normal. A spokesperson for the airport said that they were "prepared for potential extra passengers". This was due to the closure of other airports in the region, including Orlando International Airport, which closed at 2 am on Monday.
Despite the airport remaining operational, many passengers changed their travel plans due to the hurricane. One mother, Angelia McClanahan, said she had been in Tampa on business but decided to leave early after seeing Dorian's forecast shift eastward. She wanted to return home to Greenville, South Carolina, to be with her 24-year-old son and ensure he left Charleston. McClanahan said that changing her flight was challenging and that she had spent around five to six hours trying to do so.
Tampa airport representatives said they would continue to monitor Dorian's track and that they would do "whatever the weather requires". They also noted that fully shutting down operations can take up to 24 hours. Airlines offered travel waivers to customers, and many passengers took advantage of this.
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Orlando International Airport closed at 2 a.m. on Monday
Tampa International Airport, along with Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, remained open during Hurricane Dorian. However, Orlando International Airport was not as fortunate.
In anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, Orlando International Airport ceased commercial operations at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. The airport had initially planned to close on Monday but lifted this decision as the storm's predicted path shifted farther north. However, with the threat of tropical-force winds of up to 45 mph, the airport deemed it necessary to halt operations for the safety of its passengers and staff.
The closure lasted for 34 hours, impacting 800 daily departures and arrivals and causing inconvenience to numerous passengers. Lolita Johnson, for example, had her flight to Columbus, Ohio, cancelled not once but twice due to the storm.
Orlando International Airport resumed commercial operations at noon on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, after the hurricane had passed. Airport officials stated that this was the earliest reasonable time for the airport to resume normal operations. During the closure, passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updates regarding their specific flights.
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Tampa International Airport prepared for extra passengers
As Hurricane Dorian bore down on Florida, Tampa International Airport was preparing for extra passengers. While several other airports in the area were shutting down, Tampa International remained open, with operations continuing as normal.
A spokesperson for the airport, Emily Nipps, said: "We certainly are prepared for potential extra passengers." Nipps noted that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically slow at the airport, especially in September, and that crowds at security and ticket counters were normal on Tuesday morning. However, she also acknowledged that this could change and that they would be ready for any potential impacts.
Despite the potential for disruption, as of Tuesday morning, the airport had only experienced 27 cancellations due to the storm. Airport representatives were closely monitoring Dorian's track and were prepared to take whatever action was necessary regarding operations. They understood that shutting down operations could take up to 24 hours and were keeping a close eye on the storm's path and any potential issues from storm bands and bad weather.
Airlines were offering travel waivers and caps on fares and fees to assist passengers affected by the hurricane. Many passengers changed their travel plans, but not necessarily to flee the storm. Some families were trying to ensure they could reach their homes and families in areas that Dorian was forecasted to impact.
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Tampa International Airport had 27 cancellations on Tuesday morning
While Tampa International Airport did not close during Hurricane Dorian, it did experience 27 cancellations on the Tuesday morning of the storm. The airport representatives continued to monitor the path of the hurricane and stated that they would do "whatever the weather requires".
Tampa International Airport was not the only airport to remain open during the storm. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport also continued operations. However, Orlando International Airport closed at 2 a.m. on Monday, and other airports in the path of the hurricane closed their doors as well.
Many travelers were impacted by the storm and had to change their travel plans. One mother, Angelia McClanahan, shared that she had to spend five to six hours trying to change her flight so that she could return home to her 24-year-old son in South Carolina. She expressed that, despite the challenges, she understood the situation as "everyone was trying to do the same thing [she] was trying to do".
Airlines offered travel waivers to assist passengers affected by the hurricane. These waivers provided some flexibility for those needing to change their travel plans due to the storm.
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Fort Lauderdale airport reopened as Dorian moved away from Florida
Tampa International Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport all remained open during Hurricane Dorian, although they experienced cancellations and advised travellers to check with airlines to confirm flight times.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport closed due to winds associated with the hurricane, but reopened on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, after Broward County resumed airport operations. The airport had announced it would remain closed until further notice, pending the resolution of safety and security issues.
Hurricane Dorian, the strongest storm of 2019, caused travel disruptions for thousands of people. Delta Air Lines canceled all flights to and from the Bahamas, and over 1,300 flights within, into, or out of the US were canceled by Tuesday morning. Hotels in the storm's path implemented storm preparation protocols, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association urged members to waive cancellation fees and accommodate guests' pets.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tampa Airport will remain open during Hurricane Dorian. However, it is preparing for extra passengers as other nearby airports have shut down.
Orlando International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport are some of the airports that closed during Hurricane Dorian.
Airlines are offering travel waivers, so passengers are encouraged to contact their individual airlines for changes to flight schedules.
Many events were canceled and businesses closed to prepare for the hurricane. This included the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Tampa office, several charter schools, and campgrounds and park amenities.
You can stay updated by checking the airport's website and social media pages, as well as local news sources and the National Hurricane Center for the latest developments and forecasts.
