Damage evaluations and cleanup efforts are currently in progress at several airports in Florida following Hurricane Milton’s impact as a Category 3 storm.
The airports in the Tampa and Orlando regions closed in advance of the hurricane’s landfall, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights.
At Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, hangars sustained damage from Hurricane Milton’s winds on October 10, 2024.
In addition to airport closures, several bridges and roads have also been shut down as damage assessments continue.
Here’s the latest update on the expected reopening of these airports:
Tampa International Airport:
The airport has announced it will resume commercial and cargo operations at 8 a.m. on Friday after a comprehensive inspection of its 3,300-acre site and buildings. Airport officials stated that roadways are clear and parking facilities are in good condition. The City of Tampa has confirmed there are no wastewater issues at the airport, and the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting station has sustained no major damage. The FAA has reported that the air traffic control tower is ready to resume full operations.
However, some areas of the airport experienced damage from strong winds and heavy rain during the storm. Specifically, six boarding bridges that facilitate passenger boarding were damaged, and portions of the main terminal have leaks requiring repairs. The airport is also evaluating staffing levels following one of the largest evacuation efforts in recent Tampa Bay history.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport:
All flights from this Tampa Bay-area airport have been canceled on Thursday. Airport officials had previously announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday, advising passengers to reach out directly to airlines for cancellation details and service resumption updates.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport:
This airport will remain closed on Thursday and Friday as officials assess conditions and begin post-hurricane cleanup. The airport reported one of the highest wind gusts recorded in the storm, reaching 102 mph.
Orlando International Airport:
After experiencing significant winds and rain overnight, this airport continues to be closed for both commercial and private flights. Crews are conducting damage assessments. Leadership from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority will decide when the airports can reopen based on the evaluations of personnel surveying the premises. Although a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) had indicated a planned reopening at 6 p.m. on Thursday, this will be subject to the completion of damage assessments. The airport emphasized that the public should not rely on the NOTAM for definitive reopening details as adequate staffing and preparation are also required.
Orlando Sanford International Airport:
Located north of Orlando in Sanford, this airport plans to resume operations on Friday. Allegiant passengers are encouraged to check with the airline regarding any changes to their flight schedules due to Hurricane Milton.