Florida braces for widespread travel disruptions as Hurricane Milton nears landfall
With Hurricane Milton inching closer to Florida’s Gulf Coast, major disruptions across the U.S. airline industry are beginning to unfold. As of Tuesday afternoon, airlines had canceled 696 flights and delayed 896 others, according to flight tracking provider FlightAware. The ripple effects are being felt nationwide, and more cancellations are expected as the massive storm barrels towards the Sunshine State, threatening significant damage and widespread logistical problems.
This hurricane is just the latest in a series of natural disasters to impact Florida, which has already been battered by recent storms, including Hurricane Helene. With Hurricane Milton set to make landfall on Wednesday, some airports, including major hubs like Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport, are shutting down in preparation for the storm, resulting in significant flight cancellations and travel disruptions. Here’s a detailed look at the impact Hurricane Milton is having on the U.S. airline industry, Florida’s airports, and passengers scrambling to adjust to the chaos.
FlightAware’s data highlights the scale of the disruptions caused by Hurricane Milton. By Tuesday afternoon, 696 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. had been canceled, with 896 others delayed. These numbers are expected to rise rapidly as the storm nears, with Wednesday already seeing over 1,500 flights canceled. The ripple effect from these cancellations will likely spread across the entire country, especially to major travel hubs that connect passengers to and from Florida.
Many airlines have begun adjusting schedules and canceling flights at some of the state’s busiest airports, including Orlando International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and others in Milton’s projected path. With airports beginning to shut down in preparation for the storm, airlines are being forced to make swift changes to their operations, impacting thousands of passengers.
Southwest Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the U.S., has been among the most proactive in adjusting its schedule ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall. The airline announced that it was adapting its operations at several airports, including Tampa International and Orlando International, both of which are set to pause operations this week due to the storm.
Orlando International, the busiest airport in Florida and one of the busiest in the U.S., said in a notice on its website that it will cease operations beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tampa International Airport, which serves the state’s Gulf Coast, halted operations on Tuesday as the storm approached.
Southwest isn’t the only airline making adjustments. JetBlue Airways, Allegiant Air, and Sun Country Airlines, all of which operate significant numbers of flights in and out of Florida, are also bracing for the storm’s impact. On Tuesday, JetBlue canceled 92 flights, while Allegiant Air grounded 41 flights, according to FlightAware. Sun Country Airlines reported it had canceled 19 passenger flights in response to the deteriorating weather conditions.
The ripple effects from these cancellations extend beyond the Florida airports directly impacted by the storm. With many flights to and from Florida disrupted, passengers connecting through other airports across the U.S. are likely to experience delays or cancellations as airlines attempt to juggle their schedules and mitigate the impact of Hurricane Milton.
Several major airports in Florida are taking precautions and shutting down ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. Tampa International, located on the Gulf Coast, was the first major airport to close, halting all operations on Tuesday as the storm approached. The closure of Tampa International, a key hub for travel in and out of Florida, has had immediate impacts, forcing airlines to cancel flights and redirect operations.
Orlando International Airport, located inland but still within Milton’s projected path, is also shutting down ahead of the storm. The airport announced that it would cease operations at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday, leaving passengers with limited options for departure. Orlando is a crucial hub for both domestic and international flights, and its closure will create widespread disruptions for travelers trying to leave the state before the hurricane makes landfall.
Other airports across Florida are closely monitoring the situation and may follow suit, depending on the storm’s trajectory and intensity. Smaller regional airports are also facing closures and flight cancellations as Hurricane Milton continues to grow in size and strength.
In response to the mass evacuations ordered ahead of Hurricane Milton, some airlines are adding extra capacity to help people leave the state before the storm arrives. United Airlines, JetBlue, and Air Canada are among the carriers that have added additional flights and seats to accommodate passengers trying to escape the storm’s path. With more than 1 million people ordered to evacuate the Gulf Coast, these extra flights are essential for those needing to leave the area quickly.
United Airlines announced that it had increased capacity on flights out of key Florida airports in the days leading up to Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall. Similarly, JetBlue and Air Canada added additional flights and made accommodations for passengers looking to modify their travel plans due to the storm.
While these efforts are helping some passengers evacuate, the rapidly changing conditions and increasing cancellations are making it difficult for many to secure flights out of Florida. Airlines are urging travelers to check the status of their flights frequently and to make changes to their itineraries as soon as possible if they are traveling through airports affected by the storm.
The economic impact of Hurricane Milton on the airline industry is expected to be significant, especially for carriers with large operations in Florida. Analysts at Raymond James have already warned that some airlines could be hit particularly hard if the storm, along with recent Hurricane Helene, weighs on travel demand in the region.
Allegiant Air, JetBlue, and Sun Country Airlines are among the carriers most at risk of financial losses due to their exposure to Florida’s travel market. Allegiant and JetBlue, in particular, have already canceled numerous flights in the days leading up to Hurricane Milton, and further cancellations could result in a sharp decline in revenue. For these airlines, the combination of canceled flights and reduced travel demand in the wake of back-to-back storms could create a challenging financial environment for the remainder of the year.
Southwest Airlines, which also operates many flights in and out of Florida, may also feel the effects of the storm on its bottom line. The airline has been adjusting its operations and canceling flights ahead of Milton’s landfall, and the extent of the damage caused by the storm will determine how quickly normal operations can resume.
In addition to the financial toll on airlines, Florida’s tourism industry is also bracing for a sharp decline in visitors due to the storm. With many travelers canceling or postponing their trips to the state, hotels, resorts, and other businesses dependent on tourism could see a significant drop in revenue in the weeks following Hurricane Milton.
Beyond the immediate impact on the airline industry, Hurricane Milton poses a severe threat to Florida’s infrastructure, communities, and economy. The storm is expected to cause widespread flooding, wind damage, and power outages as it makes landfall on Wednesday, with the potential to disrupt daily life in the state for weeks.
More than 1 million people have been ordered to evacuate Florida’s Gulf Coast, and officials are warning residents to take the storm seriously. As Hurricane Milton grows in size, it is expected to bring dangerous storm surges and heavy rainfall to the region, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. Authorities are urging residents to seek shelter and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm passes.
With airports closing and airlines canceling flights, the storm’s impact on transportation networks is likely to persist even after it moves inland. Florida’s highways are expected to be congested as residents evacuate, and power outages could make it difficult for airports and other infrastructure to resume operations quickly.
Once Hurricane Milton passes, the focus will shift to recovery efforts. For the airline industry, resuming normal operations will be a top priority, but it could take several days or even weeks before all flights are back on schedule, particularly if Florida’s airports sustain significant damage. Airlines will need to work closely with airport authorities to assess the damage and determine when it is safe to resume operations.
In the meantime, passengers affected by the storm are being urged to remain patient and flexible as airlines continue to update their schedules and rebook flights. Many airlines are offering waivers for flight changes and cancellations due to the storm, allowing travelers to modify their plans without incurring additional fees.
For residents of Florida, the recovery process could be long and challenging, especially in areas that experience heavy flooding or wind damage. Emergency response teams will be on the ground as soon as it is safe to begin rescue and recovery operations, but the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton may not be known for several days.
