As Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida, thousands of scheduled flights to and from the state have been canceled, leaving passengers scrambling for alternative travel arrangements. Orlando International Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the U.S., has completely halted commercial operations in preparation for the storm’s arrival.

Air Travel Chaos in Florida

Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most devastating hurricanes in west-central Florida, causing significant disruption to air transportation across the region. According to the aviation analytics firm Cirium, by 7 a.m. on October 9, over 2,300 flights to and from Florida airports had been canceled.

On October 8, 264 departing flights (about 16%) were canceled across Florida. Tampa International Airport bore the brunt with 165 flight cancellations, accounting for 81% of its total scheduled departures. Southwest Florida International saw 21 cancellations, representing 28%, while Orlando International Airport experienced 21 cancellations, which amounted to only 5% of its flights.

The situation deteriorated further by early October 9. On that morning, 853 flights were canceled, which is nearly 47% of the day’s scheduled departures. Orlando was the hardest hit, with 400 cancellations, representing a staggering 92% of its flights. Tampa followed closely with 194 cancellations (93%), and Southwest Florida International saw 74 cancellations (94%).

Florida Arrivals Hit Hard

Incoming flights also faced massive disruptions. On October 8, 372 arriving flights were canceled, representing 22% of all arrivals in Florida. Tampa International reported 187 flight cancellations, accounting for 92% of its scheduled arrivals. Orlando International Airport saw 79 cancellations (19%), while Southwest Florida International had 36 flights (47%) canceled.

By October 9, cancellations skyrocketed. Orlando saw 416 arriving flights canceled, representing 96% of its incoming traffic. Tampa and Southwest Florida International also reported a 96% and 94% cancellation rate, respectively.

Hurricane Milton’s Path of Destruction

Hurricane Milton is making its way towards Florida from the Gulf of Mexico, threatening millions of residents in the Tampa Bay area. Evacuations are underway as the storm is expected to bring catastrophic winds, flash flooding, and possible tornadoes across the Florida Peninsula. The storm is projected to make landfall from late Wednesday to early Thursday, according to The Weather Channel.

Airports Prepare for the Worst

In preparation for the hurricane’s arrival, Orlando International Airport has shut down all commercial operations. A recent update posted on X (formerly Twitter) stated: “Our airport has now ceased commercial operations in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Milton. We’ll resume operations as soon as it’s safe based on damage assessments and keep you updated with the latest information. Stay safe FL.”

Tampa International Airport had already closed on Monday, October 7, and will not resume operations until safety assessments have been completed. The airport will use the downtime to secure jet bridges, aircraft, and other critical airport equipment.

Three additional airports managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority—Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive, and Plant City Airports—have also been shut down. However, Miami International Airport remains operational, serving as a critical hub for travelers in and out of Florida. Authorities at Miami International are keeping a close watch on the situation, advising passengers to check their flight statuses regularly.

Transatlantic Travel Also Impacted

Florida serves as a key transatlantic gateway for flights connecting Europe and the United States, including routes from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Airlines such as British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa regularly operate flights to and from Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

Cirium reported that two out of 14 one-way flights between the UK and Florida were canceled on October 8. Both of these canceled flights were from the UK to Tampa, leaving the route with a 100% cancellation rate. With major airports closed, further flight operations will remain suspended until the storm passes and conditions improve.

Looking Ahead

Hurricane Milton is poised to leave a trail of destruction across Florida, and air travel is likely to remain in turmoil for several days. As airports assess the damage and airlines adjust their schedules, passengers are urged to stay informed and flexible

Sources:

• Simple Flying
• Cirium
• National Weather Service