Hurricane Milton has airports in Tampa, Orlando and major airports in the crosshairs
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert discusses the effects of Hurricane Helene as another hurricane hits Florida.
Hurricane Milton continued to swing toward Florida on Monday, prompting responses from airports and major airports in the storm’s projected path.
Many airlines are closely monitoring the storm, its projected path and how it may affect their operations. They also responded with travel advice and waivers.
Milton, currently a Category 5 hurricane, “is forecast to remain a very dangerous storm due to landfall in Florida” on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
“We have a weather forecast,” United Airlines said. “We continue to monitor closely.”
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United’s Milton travel warning is currently in effect for flights scheduled for Oct. 7-10 that flights to and from four airports – Tampa International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Key West International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport – passengers who purchased on Oct. 4 or earlier.
“We have a weather forecast,” United Airlines said. “We continue to monitor closely.” (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images/File)
The airline said it will waive change fees and fare differences for affected passengers who reschedule their flights. The rescheduled flights must depart within the time period of Oct. 5-17 and take care of the actual cabin and cities, according to its travel warning.
In its travel advisory, Southwest Airlines noted that Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota/Bradenton and Tampa flights could see disruptions on Oct. 7-10 and Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami and West Palm Beach they could face on Oct. 9-10.
“Customers holding reservations to, from, or cities … on the corresponding dates who want to change their travel plans may rebook or travel on hold (within 14 days from their original travel date between the original city pairs and according to our accommodation.” without payment other costs,” the airline said online. “In addition, Customers holding canceled flight reservations or Customers who choose not to travel due to significant delays may request a refund for the portion of the unused ticket.”
Eligible Southwest travelers may also elect to receive flight credit for cancellations.
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Another major carrier, Delta, told FOX Business, “As of Sunday afternoon, Delta began offering customers who wish to reschedule a trip scheduled for the storm the ability to do so without a fare split.”
“As of Sunday afternoon, Delta began offering customers who wish to move a flight booked during the storm the ability to do so without a fare difference.” (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images/File)
That includes Oct. 7-10 flights to nine Florida cities if rebooking occurs before Oct. 15 in the same type of cabinet.
American Airlines is waiving change fees for customers with flights to and from 12 Florida cities scheduled for Oct. 8-10 who are making travel changes on Oct. 10 and other offers to follow, according to their website.
Other airlines have also responded to the impending storm.
Spirit Airlines is implementing “Compliant Travel Policies” eliminating fare differences on Oct. 17 for customers scheduled to fly to, from or at six Florida airports between Oct. 7-10, it said so in the travel advice.
For Frontier Airlines, it has extended its flexible travel policy to Oct. 7-10 flights in six cities in Florida and Cancun, which means that the change fee is waived, its website showed. Those who cancel their vacation plans can get travel credit with airlines.
Frontier Airlines has extended its flexible travel policy through Oct. 7-10 flights to six cities in Florida and Cancun, which means the change fee is waived, according to its website. (Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images/File)
Breeze Airways “currently has waivers for guests to/from” Fort Myers, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Sarasota and Vero Beach” between Oct. 7-10.
That allows them to get a full flight credit if they decide to cancel or “transfer to the next available flight at any time within the next 2 weeks (14 days) of your original flight at no additional cost,” the airline said.
The travel advisories and flight cancellations come as Florida’s two largest airports have made changes to their operations in response to Milton.
Tampa International Airport said Monday that it will “suspend all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday” in preparation for the storm “with the Airport closed to the public until we can assess any post-storm damage.”
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Meanwhile, Orlando International Airport, located in the heart of the Sunshine State, said it would end “commercial and private passenger operations” starting Wednesday.
“The airport is not closed and will remain open to accommodate emergency/aircraft and rescue flights if necessary,” the airport said. “We will resume commercial operations immediately based on damage assessment.”
Milton will mark the second hurricane to hit Florida in less than two weeks after Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region.
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