Jazmin Li
Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Sarasota, Florida, on Wednesday, caused several airports in the state to close. The storm brought over 17 inches of rain, an eight-plus-foot storm surge, dozens of tornadoes, and gusts of up to 105 mph to the region. Airports across Florida ceased operations ahead of the hurricane's arrival, with some remaining closed even after the hurricane had passed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Closure | 8th October 2024 |
| Reason | Hurricane Milton |
| Airports Affected | Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Orlando Sanford International Airport, Punta Gorda Airport |
| Reopening Dates | Pete-Clearwater International Airport: unknown as of 11th October 2024; Tampa International Airport: 11th October 2024; Southwest Florida International Airport: 11th October 2024; Orlando Sanford International Airport: unknown, will reopen when safe to do so |
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What You'll Learn
- Tampa International Airport closed due to Hurricane Milton
- Orlando International Airport halts commercial operations
- Southwest Florida International Airport closed on Thursday
- Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed with no updates
- St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport closed with no reopening date
Tampa International Airport closed due to Hurricane Milton
Tampa International Airport (TPA) has been closed due to Hurricane Milton. The airport suspended all commercial and cargo operations ahead of the hurricane's arrival, which made landfall near Sarasota, about 20 miles south of Tampa. TPA is located in Evacuation Zone "A" in Hillsborough County, which is a mandatory evacuation zone. The airport will remain closed to the public until it can assess any damage caused by the storm and ensure the safety of its facilities.
TPA is not equipped to shelter people or vehicles during the hurricane, and emergency services will not be able to respond to calls or transport individuals to or from the airport. The airport has advised travellers to heed emergency management advisories and pay close attention to public safety alerts. It is anticipated that the airport will reopen as soon as it is deemed safe to do so, and any changes to the timing will be promptly communicated.
In addition to TPA, three other public airports in Hillsborough County managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority have also closed: Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive, and Plant City Airports. This decision was made to secure the safety of both passengers and airport staff, as Hurricane Milton is expected to bring potentially catastrophic storm surges, high winds, and heavy rain to Tampa Bay and all of Florida's Gulf Coast.
The closure of TPA and other airports in the path of Hurricane Milton is a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of travellers, staff, and the general public. It is important for those in the affected areas to follow emergency management advisories and stay updated with public safety alerts.
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Orlando International Airport halts commercial operations
Florida's airports have been impacted by hurricanes in recent years, causing disruptions and closures. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian led to the closure of several airports, including Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport (OIA). OIA, one of the busiest airports in the country, halted commercial flights, with the last flights departing at 10:30 am EDT. The airport worked closely with the National Weather Service to ensure flights on the morning of the hurricane's expected landfall remained safe.
In October 2024, Hurricane Milton caused similar disruptions. Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced it would suspend commercial operations ahead of the hurricane's landfall. The airport ceased commercial passenger and private operations, but remained open for emergency and relief flights. The halt in commercial operations was coordinated with their partners, and the airport stressed the priority of safety. The airport did not provide a specific resumption date, stating that commercial operations would resume as soon as possible based on damage assessments.
The decision to suspend commercial operations at MCO was made in accordance with their hurricane emergency response plan. Crews worked to secure outdoor items, construction sites, and boarding bridges. Sandbagging doors and tying down all boarding bridges were also part of the hurricane preparations. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages MCO, emphasized that the airport was not closed and would remain open for emergency and relief flights. They also encouraged travellers to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status information.
The suspension of commercial operations at MCO was part of a broader impact on Florida's aviation industry due to Hurricane Milton. Neighbouring Melbourne Orlando International Airport also halted commercial flights, and other airports, such as Tampa International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport, were also affected, with closures and cancellations. The hurricane's impact included thousands of cancellations and delays across the state's airports.
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Southwest Florida International Airport closed on Thursday
Southwest Florida International Airport, located in the South Fort Myers area of unincorporated Lee County, is one of the newest airports in the United States. It is a major county-owned airport that serves the Southwest Florida region, including the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Naples-Marco Island, and Punta Gorda metropolitan areas. The airport is also a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry. On Thursday, the airport remained closed all day, intending to reopen on Friday. This closure was due to the impact of Hurricane Milton, which passed over the Florida peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday, causing significant disruptions to travel across the state.
The decision to close the airport was likely made to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft. Hurricane Milton brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges to the area, making air travel unsafe. The closure of the airport resulted in cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers, causing significant disruptions to travel plans.
Southwest Florida International Airport has a history of prioritizing safety and efficiency. The airport has undergone expansions and improvements to enhance the travel experience for its millions of annual passengers. In 2024, the airport served a record-breaking 11 million passengers, making it the second-busiest single-runway airport in the United States. The airport's infrastructure, including its terminal, concourses, and runway, have been expanded and upgraded over the years to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic and meet the demands of international travel.
The closure of Southwest Florida International Airport on Thursday highlights the impact of extreme weather events on transportation systems. Hurricanes and other natural disasters can disrupt travel plans, affecting not only air travel but also road and rail networks. In the case of Hurricane Milton, multiple airports in Florida were forced to close, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of such events.
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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed with no updates
Hurricane Ian caused the closure of several airports in Florida, including Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The airport was heavily damaged by the hurricane, which made landfall near Sarasota, around 20 miles south of Tampa. The airport's CEO, Rick Piccolo, reported that the ticketing area was heavily damaged and had taken on a lot of water. There was also slight flooding inside the airport due to the roof damage. Pieces of the ceiling were scattered across the inside of the terminal, and some hangers were damaged as well.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closed on Tuesday, and as of Thursday, there had been no updates on when it would reopen. However, the airport hoped to have the ticketing area cleaned up and open by Friday. The lack of updates may be due to the extent of the damage or ongoing assessments to ensure the safety of staff and passengers. It is crucial to prioritize safety and thorough evaluations before resuming operations.
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport closure is not an isolated incident, as other airports in the path of Hurricane Ian and Milton have also been affected. Tampa International Airport, for instance, suspended operations and remained closed until safe to reopen. Similarly, Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Pinellas County closed on Tuesday and remained shut down on Wednesday and Thursday. Orlando International Airport halted commercial operations, although it remained open for emergency, aid, and relief flights.
The impact of hurricanes on Florida's airports underlines the severe consequences of these natural disasters. The closures and delays cause significant disruptions to travel plans and highlight the importance of prioritizing safety and staying updated on flight statuses. It is essential for travellers to stay informed and confirm their flight status with their airlines during such events. As Florida recovers from the recent hurricanes, the affected airports will work towards resuming operations and accommodating passengers as efficiently as possible.
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St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport closed with no reopening date
Several airports in Florida were forced to close due to Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Sarasota on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 storm. The storm brought heavy rain, storm surges, tornadoes, and gusts of up to 105 mph, causing significant disruptions to travel across the state.
One of the airports impacted by the hurricane was the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE). PIE, located in Pinellas County, announced its closure after the departure of the last flight on Tuesday, October 8, with plans to remain shut down on Wednesday and Thursday. This decision was made due to the potential risks associated with the approaching Hurricane Milton.
The closure of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport left travelers scrambling for alternative arrangements. Those with vehicles parked at the airport were allowed to retrieve them, although limited parking options were available upon the airport's resumption. Airport officials worked diligently to address issues caused by the hurricane, including water leaks in the terminal building and non-operational traffic signals in the surrounding areas.
While some sections of the airport remained closed, such as Sheltair Aviation and The Landings, a private hangar, most operations resumed by Saturday, October 12. The airport terminal building was operational, and businesses within it reopened. Rental car operations were also available, and airport fueling services were functioning.
Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Milton, the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport demonstrated resilience and a commitment to serving its passengers. The airport worked efficiently to address the impact of the storm and provided regular updates to keep travelers informed. By Saturday, October 12, the airport was once again a bustling hub of activity, facilitating travel to and from the Clearwater area.
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Frequently asked questions
Many Florida airports closed due to Hurricane Milton, including Tampa International Airport, Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Southwest Florida International Airport.
Tampa International Airport closed on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 9 a.m. ET due to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Milton. It reopened on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Yes, some Florida airports that remained open during Hurricane Milton include Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Tallahassee International Airport. However, flights to and from these airports were affected by the hurricane, with cancellations and delays.
