Multiple airports in Florida are reopening today, Friday, September 30th, following hurricane Ian. Despite millions being without power, several highly trafficked airports will soon be operating again. The hurricane has since left the region and is heading towards the Carolinas. It is expected to make landfall a second time. This time it is expected to be a category one hurricane.

Damaged Airports

The airports will be reopening while city streets remain flooded and search and rescue operations continue in southwest and central Florida. All airports being reopened have been thoroughly checked for building and airfield damage. The Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is still without power, like the rest of the city. It is unclear when this airport will be reopened, having closed in preparation for the storm on Tuesday. The nearby Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) will remain closed as well. However, its control tower will be open to help with air traffic control services.

Spirit Airlines at gate Orlando Florida Airport
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Reopening after the storm

One of the larger airports reopening is Tampa International Airport (TPA). The airport will open this morning at 10:00 ET. The airport has been closed for the past three days, having closed on Tuesday as hurricane Ian approached Florida's west coast. The airport management has advised passengers to arrive two hours early for their departures. It requests the patience and compliance of its guests as it anticipates a high volume of passenger traffic today.

To the south of TPA, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is scheduled to reopen today as well. The airport has stated that its blue terminal will not yet be opened as a large part of the roof was taken as a souvenir by hurricane Ian. This rash and irresponsible action has led to flooding in the terminal, accompanied by a large mess of tile and debris for the airport staff to clean up. To the west of TPA lies St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). PIE is ready to reopen later today.

Later today, Orlando International Airport (MCO) will reopen at noon ET. Situated in central Florida, MCO closed a day after TPA on Wednesday. The airport has assured passengers that minimal damage was sustained and that the airport is safe to recommence operations. It requested that passengers not arrive before 10:00 ET. The nearby Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) has already reopened, opening 06:00 ET this morning. Like MCO, MLB closed its doors on Wednesday.

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In the northeast corner of Florida, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) was reopened at 07:00 ET this morning. The airport has stated that many airlines are not operating all of their routes today and that passengers should verify with their airlines if their booked flights are being flown today.

Canceled flights

Millions of Florida residents are without power and are cut off from emergency services following the storm. Airlines and Airports both anticipated the dangers that the storm would pose. This led to the temporary closure of airports all along the storm's predicted trajectory. Thousands of flights were canceled throughout the week in preparation for this storm. Demand for flights in and out of Florida is expected to remain high in the coming weeks as those whose travel plans were disrupted resume their travels.

What do you think of these airports reopening? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: FOX News