Is your airport open? Any delays? What to know about flying in Florida after Idalia
While Hurricane Idalia makes its way into Georgia, the storm continues to bring bad weather — and many travel delays — to parts of Florida.
Idalia’s center moved into southern Georgia, just hours after it made landfall near Keaton Beach on Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. Wednesday advisory. Several airports across Florida shut down Tuesday before the storm slammed the state.
READ MORE: Power outages, record flooding spread as ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Idalia leaves Florida
Here’s what to know about airports as some reopen and many navigate mass disruptions.
Tampa
Tampa International Airport reopen for arriving flights at 4 p.m. Wednesday, airport officials announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
TPA TO REOPEN TO ARRIVING FLIGHTS ONLY AT 4 PM TODAY
TPA sustained minimal damage from Hurricane Idalia
Departing flights and normal operations will resume early Thursday morning
Please check directly with your airline for the latest flight updates pic.twitter.com/cKwtnTc5ZY— Tampa International Airport (@FlyTPA) August 30, 2023
Departing flights and normal operations will resume early Thursday morning. According to Flight Aware data, more than 340 flights from or headed to Tampa were canceled Wednesday.
Sarasota-Bradenton
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, which closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, reopened at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
St. Pete-Clearwater
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which closed at 3 p.m. Tuesday, reopened at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
PIE will close 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29th due to Tropical Storm Idalia and plans to reopen Wednesday, August 30th at 3:00 pm. Passengers should check with their airline for flight information updates.
— St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (@iflypie) August 28, 2023
Tallahassee
Tallahassee International Airport reopened Wednesday at 4 p.m. after shutting down Tuesday at 11 p.m. According to FlightAware data, most flights from or headed to Tallahassee were canceled Wednesday.
Tallahassee International Airport has reopened as recovery efforts progress following Hurricane #Idalia. Customers are encouraged to verify the status of their commercial flight with their airline prior to heading to the airport. pic.twitter.com/s3oVlglrPY
— Tallahassee International Airport (@TLHAirport) August 30, 2023
Gainesville
Gainesville Regional Airport Terminal will remain closed until 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Gainesville Regional Airport Terminal is closed until 5 pm Wed 8/30/2023. No flights are operating until this evening. Rental car counters are also closed. No rental cars will be available except for arriving aircraft. The airport is not available as a shelter. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/hszGST5uUg
— Gainesville Airport (@GNVAirport) August 30, 2023
“No flights are operating until this evening,” the airline’s post on X said. “Rental car counters are also closed. No rental cars will be available except for arriving aircraft.”
South Florida: Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports
As of Wednesday afternoon, Miami International Airport has 296 delays and 64 cancellations, according to Flight Aware data. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has 261 delays and 20 cancellations.
“Flight impacts above are likely due to several factors including inclement weather over parts of the U.S., airline, or federal airspace operational decisions, among other issues,” FLL spokesperson Paris Tyburski told the Miami Herald.
Orlando
While Orlando International Airport is open, officials expect delays and cancellations.
While our airport is open and operational, flight disruptions are expected throughout the day - delays/cancellations & bag delivery delays may occur. Check with your airline for updates in regards to your flight. For airport status: https://t.co/vm0yMYHkcv#HurricaneIdalia pic.twitter.com/juY7zN4VkO
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) August 30, 2023
As of Wednesday afternoon, the airport has 375 delays and 136 cancellations, according to Flight Aware data.
Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida International Airport near Fort Myers is dealing with delays and cancellations. As of Wednesday afternoon, the airport has 60 delays and 39 cancellations, according to Flight Aware data.
“Please check your airline’s website for cancellation and delay information,” a statement on Facebook said. “By this afternoon, most flights will be operating normally.”
