Hurricane Milton Forces Flight Cancellations and Closures
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast, airlines have canceled hundreds of flights while theme parks and cruise lines brace for the storm’s impact. The Category 4 hurricane, packing sustained winds near 145 mph, is anticipated to make landfall on Wednesday, leading to widespread disruptions across the state. In response to the impending storm, over 50 Florida counties are currently under a state of emergency, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Tampa International Airport suspended all operations at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, stating it will “reopen when safe to do so.” Orlando International Airport is set to close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines, a significant player in the Orlando market, has canceled 402 flights as part of its response to the hurricane, according to data from FlightAware. Overall, more than 750 flights in and out of Orlando—over 85% of the scheduled flights for Wednesday—were canceled. Most flights at Tampa International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport, which services Fort Myers, were also scrapped for the day.
In light of the disruptions, airlines are taking steps to assist affected travelers. Major carriers such as American Airlines and United Airlines have waived change fees and fare differences for those impacted by the storm. Both airlines have also added extra flights out of Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival, providing travelers with some options to escape the storm.
As the hurricane’s landfall approaches, theme parks in the Orlando area have announced temporary closures. Disney has stated that its Orlando-area theme parks will shut down on Wednesday starting at 1 p.m. ET and will likely remain closed on Thursday. The company indicated that it would consider reopening Disney Springs on Thursday afternoon with limited offerings.
Universal Orlando Resort has also announced closures, with Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk closing at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday and remaining closed on Thursday. Additionally, Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday, while SeaWorld Orlando is expected to close on Wednesday and Thursday, according to United Parks.
Cruise lines are not exempt from the storm’s effects, as Carnival has warned customers that ports in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami may be forced to close. As a precaution, the cruise line is altering some routes and destinations to navigate around Hurricane Milton’s expected path.
Floridians are urged to remain vigilant as Hurricane Milton approaches, with various safety measures being implemented to protect residents and visitors alike. With travel plans disrupted and closures in place, travelers are encouraged to stay informed about flight schedules and theme park operations during this critical time.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cnbc.com
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