Which Florida airports are open, closed as Hurricane Idalia nears landfall as Category 3?
Hurricane Idalia is coming. Should I stay or should I go? Are Florida airports open?
Here's a roundup of Florida airports and which are closed as Hurricane Idalia nears landfall in Florida as a potential Category 3 storm.
Which Florida airports are open as Hurricane Idalia nears landfall?
As of Tuesday, Aug. 29, these Florida airports were operating under normal conditions.
Orlando International Airport (MCO): As of noon Tuesday, Aug. 29, "Orlando International Airport is currently open and operational while we continue to monitor the storm. For information regarding specific flights, please check with your airline directly."
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW): As of noon Tuesday, Aug. 29, Southwest Florida International Airport announced on its website: "Flights are operating at RSW. There may be delays or changes to your flights today, Aug. 29, due to changing weather conditions. Check with your airline for the most up-to-date information."
Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): "Currently monitoring Storm Idalia. JAX remains open and operational at this time. For more updated flight information please check with your airline."
Miami International Airport (MIA): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): "The airport is open, please contact your airline for flight updates."
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV): "Gainesville Regional Airport storm Idalia update: Passengers are encouraged to check flight status with their airline prior to coming to the airport. A friendly reminder, the Gainesville Regional Airport will not be used as a shelter."
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Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): "Passengers should check with their airlines for updates to flight schedules and travelers should stay in touch with their airline for possible future delays or cancellations."
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Pensacola International Airport (PNS): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Key West International Airport (EYW): "Regarding Hurricane Idalia: The airport remains open and operations continue at this time. Please contact your airline regarding flight changes."
Tallahassee International Airport (TLH): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): As of Tuesday, the airport announced on its site: "Punta Gorda Airport is open and operational. Airport staff is working to secure the airport property and make preparations for potential impacts from Idalia. Punta Gorda Airport and its runways will remain open as long as conditions are safe. However, if winds are sustained at 50 mph, aircraft operations and tower operations will cease, and we will continue to follow recommendations from Charlotte County Emergency Management."
The airport remains open, however, Allegiant has canceled its flights Wednesday with normal operations resuming Thursday.
"PGD is not responsible for notifying passengers of Allegiant’s flight changes. If you have an upcoming flight, check your email for updates from Allegiant or visit Allegiant travel alerts page.
"Allegiant has canceled its flights to/from PGD for 8/30/23, and plans to resume operations at PGD on 8/31/23."
"PGD’s parking lots are for traveling passengers. Passengers with active Allegiant itineraries are advised to use long-term parking lots at PGD. Local residents are not encouraged to park at PGD during storm events. PGD does not have the resources to monitor all parked vehicles, nor will we report on the status of individual vehicles.Parking fees will not be waived.
"PGD’s Bailey Terminal and airport facilities are not public hurricane shelters. Please visit the Charlotte County Emergency Management website for the latest news and alerts.
"Our staff is planning to have all the gust locks secured at the T-hangars by EOD 8/28/23. We will have emergency staff at the airport monitoring the storm status throughout the event. Please check NOTAMs for any airport closures (excluding Emergency Aircraft). Access to the hangars during and after the storm may not be available due to power outages. The gates to the airside hangars will be manually secured with chain locks if winds are approaching 40-50 mph. Do not shelter in your hangar or any airport facilities.
"The self-service fuel station will remain operational until it becomes unsafe.
"If you are having difficulty removing your gust locks after the storm has passed please contact 941-639-4119 for assistance."
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS): The airport remains open, however, there was a notice online that may or may not be Hurricane Idalia-related: "Contact your airline for flight changes and baggage limits."
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP): As of Tuesday, the airport posted this announcement online: "Operations at ECP remain normal. We encourage all passengers to check with their airline carrier for the most updated flight information before heading to the airport."
Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST) in St. Augustine: The airport posted this announcement online: "As of Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 12 noon, airport authority personnel is going to secure all hurricane latches in anticipation of Hurricane Idalia."
Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Naples Airport (APF): "The airport is beginning preparations for Hurricane Idalia. On Tuesday, the NAA administrative office will be closed, and we expect limited FBO and AATC services. Tenants and customers are encouraged to review the storm preparedness plans."
Florida Keys/Marathon International Airport (MTH): As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Monroe County posted an announcement online: "There are no emergency protective actions in place at this time.
"Monroe County Emergency Management is coordinating with the National Weather Service – Key West to advise residents on specific details of Tropical Storm Idalia impacts to the Florida Keys.
“At this time, with the current forecast, we are encouraging residents to be smart. We plan to keep operations as normal as possible but please be safe if squalls are coming through,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi. “The guiding principle is to be smart and be safe.”
"Monroe County Government offices are open on Tuesday. Monroe County schools are continuing to monitor and will be open tomorrow, Tuesday. Airports are open. Garbage service will run as normal. The National Park Service will close Bahia Honda and Ft. Zach tomorrow, Tuesday, to campers and visitors. Utilities are standing by to respond to any outages, if any."
Leesburg International Airport (LEE): No operational changes have been announced at this time.
Which Florida airports are closed as Hurricane Idalia nears landfall?
As of Tuesday, Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport are closed for Hurricane Idalia.
Is Tampa International Airport closed for Hurricane Idalia?
Tampa International Airport (TPA): Tampa International Airport closed at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29.
"Traveler alert: TPA is closing due to Tropical Storm Idalia at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29. Please check with your airline for the latest on flight schedules and follow our feed on X, formerly Twitter, for announcements. Check @FlyTPA"
The airport site also includes a blog post, "Tampa International Airport to close early Tuesday ahead of potential major hurricane," noting operations will resume on Thursday, Aug. 31: "Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial operations beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Idalia, with the airport remaining closed until it can assess any damages later in the week.
"The closure will allow the airport and its partners to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft before Idalia’s expected landfall early Wednesday (Aug. 30) as a potential major hurricane. Some cargo and private aircraft operations could continue overnight, but all air traffic will cease by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. The airport, including the main terminal and airsides, will be closed to all visitors and is not equipped to function as a shelter.
"The airport anticipates reopening Thursday morning, with damage assessments beginning after the storm passes. TPA will closely coordinate the reopening of the airport with its partners based on roadway safety, facility readiness and staffing. Any changes to the timing will be promptly communicated."
Did St. Petersburg airport in Florida close for Hurricane Idalia?
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE): "PIE will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29, due to Tropical Storm Idalia and plans to reopen Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m. Passengers should check with their airline for flight information updates."
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What airports are closing due to Idalia? Are flights canceled?
