UPDATE: Hurricane Idalia prompts flight cancellations, including some in Atlanta
Hurricane Idalia continues to disrupt airline flights as it hits Florida’s Gulf Coast.
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 have been canceled for Wednesday, FlightAware data show.
Two smaller airports nearby have 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 90 flights are canceled for Wednesday, many of them to and from affected airports in Florida. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has canceled more than 125 flights across its system for Wednesday.
Idalia made landfall in Florida early Wednesday.
The Tampa airport expects to reopen Thursday morning, depending on an assessment of damage after the storm passes, staffing and the safety of roads. Officials advised the public that the Tampa airport is not equipped to function as a shelter.
Travelers should check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Airlines are offering 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.
This story comes from our partners at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. For more on the news and events in metro-Atlanta and Georgia, visit AJC.com.
This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 8:59 AM with the headline "UPDATE: Hurricane Idalia prompts flight cancellations, including some in Atlanta."