Hurricane Milton led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays while shutting down most of Florida’s major airports. But when will airports across the state reopen?
Florida Airports
Orlando International Airport announced it suspended commercial operations ahead of the storm on Wednesday and would resume as soon as it’s safe, pending damage assessments, according to a post on X. On Oct. 11, they shared, “Our airport is open and operational for all commercial flights. Please check with your airline directly for any specific updates prior to your travels. Welcome back!”
Palm Beach International Airport reported on its website that it sustained no major damage and planned to resume operations on Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. for arriving flights. “There are still some cancellations, so check with your airline before coming to the airport. Plan to arrive two hours before your scheduled departure. Limited shopping and dining available,” they stated on the site.
Southwest Florida International Airport posted on its website that, as of Oct. 11 at 6:30 a.m., it was open, and flights would resume at 9 a.m. A news release from the airport confirmed staff were inspecting the airfield and facilities to ensure it was safe to reopen. By 10 a.m., they announced flight operations had resumed at 8 a.m. “As always, please check with your airline for the latest flight information,” they noted.
Miami International Airport, which wasn’t in the hurricane's direct path, remains open but noted some cancellations and delays due to weather in a Facebook post.
Thousands of flights in and out of the U.S. have been canceled this week as Hurricane Milton hit the Gulf of Mexico and swept through Florida, forcing many airports to close. Airlines across the country grounded flights in response. According to the Associated Press, more than 2,250 U.S. flights were canceled as of midday Thursday, following 1,970 cancellations on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.
After striking the southeastern U.S. and parts of Cuba on Wednesday, the hurricane moved into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. However, threats remain, with officials issuing storm surge warnings for much of Florida’s east-central coast, extending north to Georgia, along with tropical storm warnings reaching South Carolina. Travel disruptions in the region are likely to continue.
