Several airports in Florida announced they’re suspending operations due to Hurricane Milton, which just became a Category 5 hurricane and is raging with 175 MPH winds. It’s set to take aim across a swath of major Sunshine State cities — even some inland metro areas. (I just saw a projection showing Milton as a Cat 3 when it makes landfall. Let’s hope for that or something weaker.)
Delta Air Lines also issued weather waivers for a number of its destinations.
Let’s take a look.
#HurricaneMilton #MILTON EXPLOSIVELY INTENSIFIES WITH 175-MPH WINDS…
…RESIDENTS IN #FLORIDA ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF LOCAL
OFFICIALS#hurricane #NOAA #FL pic.twitter.com/a3sPcRfqxz— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) October 7, 2024
Florida Airport Closures
As of 2:30 PM Monday, here’s what we found from various airports in Milton’s projected path:
TPA TO CLOSE DUE TO MILTON ⁰
We will suspend flight operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday and reopen when safe to do so⁰⁰✈️ Check directly with your airline for flight updates⁰⁰⛈️ TPA is not a shelter for people or vehicles⁰⁰ Stay tuned to our social media for more info pic.twitter.com/G4UxrR0BpP— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) October 7, 2024
SRQ will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 8th due to Hurricane Milton.
⚪️SRQ will reopen once safe to do so.
Please contact your airline directly regarding flight status.
Stay tuned to our social media for further updates.
\#FlySRQ pic.twitter.com/pN7yvh7i39— SRQ Airport (@SRQAirport) October 7, 2024
Hurricane Milton Update – The airport terminal will close after the last flight on Tuesday and remain closed Wednesday and Thursday. The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone and is not a public shelter. Prepare and stay safe.
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) October 7, 2024
Operational Update/3 – Hurricane Milton
Our airport will cease commercial operations on Wednesday morning, in advance of Hurricane Milton. This move was made in coordination with our partners. We will resume commercial operations as soon as it is safe.
➡️ https://t.co/VAiO6KFJfY pic.twitter.com/3VwhV4MVvm— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) October 7, 2024
RSW Update-Oct. 7, 2024 at 6:30 a.m.: The airlines at RSW are operating today. Please check with your airline for the most up-to-date information. We do not know yet what impacts the hurricane may have on flights later this week. pic.twitter.com/yPy5kFfY3w
— SWFL Int’l Airport (@RSWAirport) October 7, 2024
Just a reminder that travelers flying this week should check flight status with their airline for the most up-to-date information regarding travel itineraries. The airport will remain open as long as the airlines continue to operate. \#Milton pic.twitter.com/bvkcA5qwTW
— JAXairport (@JAXairport) October 7, 2024
Attention all GNV Travelers: GNV is monitoring Hurricane Milton. Travelers should check for latest status with their AIRLINE (not the airport). The airlines have the latest info on cancellations, waivers and more. Reminder: the airport is not a shelter. Please stay safe! pic.twitter.com/JdOV9CIjUp
— Gainesville Airport (@GNVAirport) October 7, 2024
\#WeatherAlert: While \#FLL is not currently within the direct path of \#HurricaneMilton and remains open, we are monitoring the storm for inclement weather that is likely to impact our region as it moves closer to the Gulf Coast of Florida. We will provide updates if this forecast… pic.twitter.com/mP16uQGhaG
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) October 7, 2024
Delta Air Lines Hurricane Milton Weather Waiver
Delta issued a weather waiver for passengers traveling through the below airports from today, October 7, through Thursday, October 10:
- Daytona Beach, FL (DAB)
- Fort Myers, FL (RSW)
- Gainesville, FL (GNV)
- Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
- Key West, FL (EYW)
- Melbourne, FL (MLB)
- Orlando, FL (MCO)
- Sarasota, FL (SRQ)
Tickets must be rebooked by Tuesday, October 15. Rebooked travel must commence no later than Tuesday, October 15, as well. (I won’t be at all surprised if the affected dates change.)
Here’s the waiver’s official page on Delta.com.
Any applicable fare differences will be waived, provided you rebook in the same cabin of service (i.e., Main Cabin).
Be Proactive
If you’re concerned, you might want to start making flight changes now before the ticketing lines (phone and in-person) get especially busy.
Remember that airlines generally don’t pay for any expenses (hotels, meals, ground transport, etc.) if you’re delayed due to weather. I hope you booked with a credit card offering good trip delay coverage or you hold travel insurance. (Or both!)
Contact Delta Air Lines for Rebooking Help
If you have questions or need to rebook travel, contact Delta Air Lines directly (not “Delta Airlines”) or the provider through whom you originally purchased travel.
Delta Air Lines: 1-800-221-1212
You can also live message/chat with Delta.
Take care, everyone!
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