Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest flight information Thursday.
Hurricane Milton pounded Florida overnight into Thursday, and some Florida airports in its path remained closed into the afternoon with flights suspended after they halted operations before the storm hit.
More than 2,200 flights are canceled nationally Thursday, according to FlightAware.com. That includes more than 250 Delta flights, with Southwest canceling more than 490 flights and American canceling more than 290 flights.
Thursday’s cancellations include more than 150 flights canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson International, including flights to or from Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Sarasota/Bradenton.
Thursday’s flight cancellations come after about 1,970 flights were canceled across the country Wednesday and more than 700 flights were canceled Tuesday, FlightAware data show.
Tampa International closed Tuesday, followed by closures of airports in Sarasota/Bradenton and St. Petersburg and the suspension of airline flights to and from Orlando International before Milton hit Florida.
“We’ll have a better sense of the impact as we learn of how our airports fared overnight,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian during a conference call Thursday on the airline’s financial results.
Tampa International said Thursday afternoon that it would reopen at 8 a.m. Friday. Orlando International said Thursday that damage assessment was underway and departures would resume Friday. Fort Myers’ airport said it would work to determine when operations would begin Friday. Sarasota Bradenton International said it was assessing conditions and beginning cleanup, and would remain closed Thursday and Friday.
Delta issued a waiver allowing customers with flights booked to, from or through Tampa, Sarasota or Fort Myers Oct. 7-15 more flexibility to change their plans.
Delta is also offering flexibility to customers with flights booked for Oct. 7-10 to, from or through Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Key West, Melbourne, Miami, Orlando and West Palm Beach in Florida who want to rebook.
Some flights from Asheville continue to be canceled since Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina less than two weeks ago.
After significant damage from Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina, Delta still has a waiver in effect for customers who had flights booked to, from or through Valdosta or Asheville through Oct. 31, with more flexibility to change their reservations.
Bastian said on CNBC on Thursday morning that the impact of Hurricane Helene cost the airline about 3 cents in earnings per share.
Officials issued evacuation orders for communities in a large swath of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
As evacuees rushed to leave Florida earlier this week before Hurricane Milton’s arrival, President Joe Biden warned airlines against price gouging and Delta Air Lines said it would cap some fares.
The Associated Press reported that Biden said after a hurricane briefing: “I’m calling on the airlines and other companies to provide as much service as possible to accommodate evacuations, and not to engage in price gouging — to just do it on the level.”
Atlanta-based Delta said it “began proactively capping fares for new bookings on Sunday, Oct. 6 for customers looking to fly out of Milton’s forecast path.”
Delta said its fares for 12 cities in Florida were “capped in a range based on distance flown” and that it was adding flight capacity where possible.
In addition to the closures or suspension of flights at airports in Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota/Bradenton and St. Petersburg, no flights will operate Wednesday and Thursday at Fort Myers’ Southwest Florida International Airport. Punta Gorda Airport suspended flight operations starting midday Tuesday, according to state officials.
“The safety of Delta’s people and customers is of paramount concern for the airline as it considers flight delays, cancellations and the resumption of service when the storm passes, in coordination with local officials,” Delta said. “Resumption of flight schedules will happen as soon as possible after a thorough safety assessment of local infrastructure and conditions.”
Georgia hotels have also seen an influx of Milton evacuees.
At The Georgian Terrace hotel in Midtown Atlanta, Jim Bennett, the director of sales and marketing, said Monday the hotel has seen first responders arrive at the hotel and others likely trying to get out of Milton’s path. He said the Georgian Terrace has residential-style suites that have a full kitchen and washer/dryer, which makes it an attractive choice for hurricane evacuees and first responders.
About the Author
