Hurricane Milton Grounds Thousands of Flights to Florida

As Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida, the state’s airports have been heavily impacted, with over 2,300 flights canceled as of October 9, leaving passengers scrambling for alternate travel plans. Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S., has halted all commercial operations as the storm approaches.

Widespread Flight Cancellations

The aviation industry has been significantly disrupted, with Tampa, Orlando, and Southwest Florida International Airports bearing the brunt of the cancellations. On October 8, Tampa had an 81% flight cancellation rate for departures, and by early October 9, nearly 93% of flights departing Tampa were canceled. Orlando saw a 92% cancellation rate, and Southwest Florida International experienced a 94% cancellation of outbound flights. Arrivals were similarly affected, with Tampa, Orlando, and Southwest experiencing cancellation rates of over 90% on October 9.

Preparing for the Storm’s Devastation

Hurricane Milton, expected to bring destructive winds, flash flooding, and potential tornadoes, is anticipated to make landfall late on October 11. As a precaution, airports in Tampa and Orlando have closed, securing jet bridges, aircraft, and equipment. While Miami International Airport remains open, it is closely monitoring the situation, and passengers are advised to check flight statuses.

Transatlantic Flight Disruptions

Florida’s key role in connecting Europe to the U.S. has also been affected. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta have canceled transatlantic flights, especially to Tampa. With Florida’s airports closed, all flights are suspended until conditions improve.