Hurricane Ian: JIA flights resume Friday and JTA buses run again

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As Hurricane Ian's departure from Florida continues en route toward the Carolinas and Savannah, travelers now have some good news when it comes to air and ground transportation in the Jacksonville area.

Hurricane Ian Live Updates: Hurricane Ian Live Updates: St Johns County officials provide update on flooding in St Augustine

Here's a look at what we know.

Empty counters and kiosks are shown at Jacksonville International Airport Thursday due to Hurricane Ian cancellations. However,  JIA will be back in business Friday.
Empty counters and kiosks are shown at Jacksonville International Airport Thursday due to Hurricane Ian cancellations. However, JIA will be back in business Friday.

Jacksonville International Airport reopens Friday

Jacksonville International Airport reopens for operations Friday, the first flight in at about 9 a.m., officials said.

Some airlines will initially be operating on reduced schedules. Passengers need to contact their airline for flight status and rebooking options before heading to the terminal, airport officials said.

The TSA security checkpoint will open at 7 a.m. But limited food service will be available at the terminal.

A screen capture of air traffic shows no flights in and around Northeast Florida at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, usually a busy time for the region's air space.
A screen capture of air traffic shows no flights in and around Northeast Florida at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, usually a busy time for the region's air space.

The airport ceased all flight operations late Wednesday, and as of Thursday night the flight tracking website flightradar.com showed no flights over most of Northeast Florida. But flights had resumed over the rest of the state.

The airport's website also has an arrivals and departures flight information section at flyjacksonville.com/content2015.aspx?id=440.

JTA service

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority restarts its regular bus service by noon Friday after shutting down all mass transit and specialty services late Wednesday and Thursday due to the approach of then-Hurricane Ian.

Bus routes, First Coast Flyer, ReadiRide and Express Select services will operate on regular schedules Friday, although riders should visit jtafla.com/media-center/service-alerts to learn of any detours before heading out.

If weather conditions improve faster, the JTA may restart transportation service earlier in the day, so check its Facebook or Twitter for updates. Full schedules are available at schedules.jtafla.com, on buses and at the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla.

• The St. Johns River Ferry returns to Mayport Saturday afternoon after being taken to Green Cove Springs for safety.

• Connexion and Connexion Plus paratransit resume life-sustaining trips at noon Friday continuing through Sunday. Regular service for all paratransit customers restarts by Monday.

• The Skyway returns to regular service by Monday.

Power outages: See outage maps for JEA, FPL and more

What's open? Duval, Jacksonville area closings and cancellations

Hurricane evacuation zones: Evacuation information for DuvalClayNassau and St. Johns counties. 

• JTA customer service continues with normal business hours 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information,call JTA at (904) 630-3100.

dscanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville International Airport flights resume after Hurricane Ian