Hurricane Idalia disrupted airline flights as it hit Florida’s Gulf Coast, causing hundreds of flight cancellations.
Tampa International Airport closed early Tuesday morning with more than 370 flight cancellations for Tuesday, including more than 20 flights to and from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, according to FlightAware.com. Tampa airport officials halted operations in advance of the the anticipated landfall, to allow time to secure jet bridges, ground equipment and airplanes.
More than 330 flights at Tampa International were canceled for Wednesday, FlightAware data show.
Two smaller airports nearby also temporarily closed due to Hurricane Idalia: St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport closed at 3 p.m. and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with plans to reopen Wednesday. Tallahassee International Airport also closed due to Hurricane Idalia at 11 p.m. Tuesday, with plans to remain closed Wednesday and reopen Thursday.
At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, more than 110 flights were canceled for Wednesday, many of them to and from affected airports in Florida. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has canceled more than 160 flights across its system for Wednesday.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
Idalia made landfall in Florida early Wednesday, and was downgraded to a tropical storm Wednesday afternoon.
The Tampa airport said it would reopen for arriving flights Wednesday, then resume full operations at 3 a.m. Thursday.
Travelers should check their flight status before heading to the airport. Delta has already canceled more than 20 flights scheduled for Thursday, according to FlightAware.
Airlines have offered waivers to allow travelers with bookings to, from or through areas that may be affected by the storm, who want to change their travel plans without paying certain extra charges.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines’ waiver of a difference in fare for flight changes applies to Brunswick, Columbus, Savannah and Valdosta, Georgia; Charleston, Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key West, Orlando, Panama City, Sarasota, Tallahassee and Tampa, Florida for passengers with flights booked Aug. 28-31, with certain limitations.
Southwest and other airlines also waiving certain charges for travelers to and from designated cities who want to change their travel plans.
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