Orlando Airport: When Will Flights Take Off Again?

Orlando International Airport (MCO) was forced to close temporarily due to Hurricane Milton, which caused the airport to suspend all commercial operations from Wednesday, October 9th, 2024. The airport remained open for emergency, medical, and relief flights during this period. Following the hurricane, the airport announced it would partially reopen on Thursday, October 10th, for a few domestic arrivals, with departures and international flights resuming on Friday, October 11th. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines directly for the latest updates, as there were still some delays and cancellations.

Orlando International Airport resumed operations after Hurricane Milton

Orlando International Airport resumed operations on Friday, 11 October 2024, after closing for two days due to Hurricane Milton. The airport received a few domestic arrivals on the evening of 10 October, but departures and international flights remained paused until the following day.

The airport advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates, as schedules were subject to change. "Airlines will continue to adjust their schedules to better accommodate passengers, so please verify your flight status directly with them," the airport said in a statement.

The resumption of operations followed Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Siesta Key, Florida, as a deadly Category 3 storm. The hurricane caused power outages, fuel shortages, flooding, and tornadoes, impacting Floridians in the days following the storm.

During the closure, Orlando International Airport remained open for emergency, medical, and relief flights. The airport's decision to cease commercial operations prioritized the safety and security of travellers, preventing aircraft from operating under unsafe weather conditions.

Tampa International Airport reopened after repairs

Tampa International Airport Reopens After Repairs

Tampa International Airport (TPA) officially reopened to the public at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, following a three-day suspension of flights due to Hurricane Milton. The Category 3 storm caused extreme wind gusts and heavy rainfall, impacting several areas of the airport that required repairs.

Repairs and Challenges

During the closure, airport staff worked to address the damage caused by the hurricane. Some of the challenges they faced included:

• Clearing debris across the 3,300-acre campus.
• Repairing six boarding bridges damaged by high winds.
• Addressing significant structural damage to the general aviation fixed-base operator, Signature. However, no aircraft damage was reported.
• Repairing leaks in parts of the main terminal and some gate hold areas.
• Restoring power to the TPA fuel depot, which was running on generator power during the closure.

Airport Operations and Passenger Information

Despite the ongoing repairs, the airport was fully operational when it reopened, with commercial and cargo operations resuming. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. The Rental Car Center and all TPA parking garages were open, and dining and retail locations were open in the Main Terminal and at each Airside, although hours may vary.

Recovery and Staffing

The Tampa Bay region, including the airport, was one of the areas impacted by Hurricane Milton, and airport partners were evaluating staffing levels following the evacuation. Crews were working to clear debris and make repairs across the campus, ensuring that staff could return to work safely.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport remained closed

In August 2023, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport was forced to close in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia. The airport, which was in a mandatory evacuation zone, shut down for at least 24 hours, with plans to reopen at 3 pm on Wednesday, August 30, following a 3 pm closure the previous day.

The following year, in October 2024, the airport was impacted by another hurricane—Hurricane Milton. All flights were cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday, with travellers advised to check with their airline for updates on Tuesday flights.

The airport's closure in 2024 came just a few months after it was announced that Allegiant Airlines would be introducing new routes to and from the airport, including to Evansville, Indiana, and McAllen, Texas.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport faced repairs

On October 11, 2024, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport stated that it would remain closed until October 16, following significant damage from Hurricane Milton. The Category 3 storm caused the airport to lose the entire roof of Concourse B, with Airport CEO and President Rick Piccolo estimating damages of at least $10 million.

The airport's facilities had already undergone expansion in the 1980s to accommodate growing demand. Construction began in 1987, and the new terminal building opened on October 29, 1989, with parking, ramp space, and landscaping also added. However, the airport continued to experience overcrowding, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there were even controversial proposals to relocate the airport. These proposals were eventually struck down, and instead, the existing airport underwent further expansion.

In March 2023, the airport broke ground on a second concourse, which is expected to be completed in December 2024. The new concourse will increase passenger capacity by 2.5 million and will include five gates, a bar, a café, a restaurant, and a marketplace.

Orlando Sanford International Airport resumed operations

While the airport received a few domestic arrivals on Thursday night, October 10, there were no departures until the following day. Airport officials urged passengers, especially those scheduled for the next few days, to check their flight status directly with their airlines. A statement on the airport's social media advised:

> Airlines will continue to adjust their schedules to better accommodate passengers, so please verify your flight status directly with them.

The airport did not sustain any major damage from the hurricane, and normal operations resumed on Friday, with nearly 75,000 passengers processed that day.

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