Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Halt Operations Ahead of Hurricane Milton

3 hours ago in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

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Hurricane Milton

Posted: Monday October 7, 2024 1:25pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) will suspend all commercial passenger and private operations on Wednesday morning, October 9, 2024, in preparation for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to bring significant impacts to central Florida.

This announcement follows a similar move by Tampa International Airport (TPA), which has already closed to all commercial and cargo operations as of Tuesday morning. Tampa is expected to experience more direct impacts from Hurricane Milton, including life-threatening storm surge and high winds.

Orlando Airport Operations Suspended

Starting Wednesday morning, both MCO and ORL will cease all regular flight operations. While the airport will not fully close, it will be available only for emergency, aid, and relief flights until it is safe to resume normal operations. A damage assessment will be conducted after the storm passes to determine when commercial flights can safely restart.

Travelers who are scheduled to fly in or out of MCO during this time should contact their airlines for the latest updates on cancellations, delays, and rebooking options. Many airlines are already adjusting their schedules, and flight disruptions are expected throughout the week as Hurricane Milton moves closer to Florida.

MCO Not an Authorized Shelter

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has also reminded the public that MCO is not an authorized shelter during the hurricane. The airport does not have the capacity to house local residents during severe weather events, and emergency management officials have designated specific shelters throughout the area. Those in need of shelter should follow local emergency instructions for safe locations to ride out the storm.

Safety and Reopening Plans

The airport will reopen based on the results of the damage assessment conducted after the storm, as well as the condition of roadways leading to the airport. GOAA will work closely with airlines and other partners, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to ensure the airport is fully operational as soon as possible.

Hurricane Milton’s Impact on Central Florida and Tampa

Hurricane Milton is expected to bring Category 1-2 winds to central Florida, with peak winds forecasted to arrive on Wednesday. In addition to strong winds, the region could experience heavy rainfall, leading to potential flooding in some areas. Travelers should monitor local weather forecasts and plan for possible road closures and flooded streets near MCO and other locations.

Meanwhile, Tampa International Airport (TPA) has already suspended all operations and closed its parking garages to the public. TPA is also only open to emergency flights at this time and will remain closed until officials can assess the damage after the storm. Passengers traveling through Tampa should check with their airlines and prepare for significant delays.

Hurricane Milton - October 7, 10am

What Travelers Should Do

Check Flight Status: Contact your airline for the latest flight information. Many flights in and out of MCO and TPA are being canceled or rescheduled, so it’s essential to stay updated.
Monitor Local Shelters: Remember, MCO is not a shelter, so those in need should seek shelter at locations designated by local authorities.
Plan Ahead: Be prepared for extended delays at both Orlando and Tampa airports as post-storm assessments are conducted to determine when regular operations can safely resume.

Discuss on the Forums

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LilofanLess than a minute ago

To also include how much of an impact cast members have to their own property , vehicles and path to get to work.

Lilofan2 minutes ago

Hurricane ready the parks I would think is getting anything that is not nailed down to interior buildings which is all the trash cans, tables chairs banners , umbrellas, portable lighting etc, etc, sandbag the front doors to hopefully prevent flooding into the carpeted and flooring areas of buildings and so forth. This takes time and lots of manpower.

LAKid539 minutes ago

My suggestion is to not cancel your resort reservation, but modify the dates by pushing them back so you're not less than 30 days from arrival. Then cancel.

celluloid9 minutes ago

Latest model shows the same uncertainty. This is likely how it is going to be until we are less than 30 hours out, and even then. If it takes any of the upper ones I don't see anywhere opening early by any means on Friday. Central FL will have so much debris and power outtage to assess.

monothingie13 minutes ago

You'll be fine. Frontier will give automatically give you FFC, but you may have to push them for a refund if you want it. For the hotel, you may want to start the process with the 3rd party booking site now, rather than after the fact based on the likely high volume of calls they will be or are getting for similar reasons.

celluloid14 minutes ago

Aww man. That is a tough one. Like you said it could go either way since they just stated morning so far. Definitely say afternoon is a no go as they have to deboard, prep and anchor planes and or ready them for departing elsewhere.

gerarar22 minutes ago

Yeah they haven't put out a time yet. My flight was due to land at 11:50am, which is cutting it close I'd imagine. And of course the closure could always move up depending on conditions.

celluloid23 minutes ago

I wonder if it is due to your flight landing time. MCO will close morning but not sure if I read what time yet.

gerarar24 minutes ago

I was supposed to be landing at MCO on Wednesday morning. But with the news of MCO ceasing operations soon, still awaiting for my flight to be officially cancelled by the airline so I can rebook a later date (or maybe cancel/refund). So far nothing, and Frontier customer support says that there is no further update yet, as if the flight is still a go-ahead on Wednesday.. Not too worried about my resort reservation (All Stars Music), despite booking with a third party site. There was no availability on WDW's website when I booked 2 months ago, so that was my only option. Can deal with that at a later time or just take the loss if I lose a couple days.. Original trip is Weds 10/9 thru Mon 10/14. Hoping for the best for everyone though! Would be a lie to say I'm not a bit stressed (more than G+ and VQs!); never been through cancellations/changes to my plans like this before!

Touchdown32 minutes ago

Still suprised they haven’t announced early closures tomorrow, TS winds could hit as soon as 8am Wed, ops needs time to hurricane ready the parks.

celluloid36 minutes ago

and with MCO and many other airports in FL closed...there won't be much traveling from the masses anyway.

lazyboy97o37 minutes ago

This is not correct. Wind-borne debris protection, which can be impact rated glazing or other protection like shutters, is only required in wind-borne debris regions. Only the eastern edges of Orange and Osceola counties are located in the wind-borne debris region. The wind-borne debris regions are places where the ultimate design wind speed for 3 second gusts is 140 mph or greater. Florida Building Code - Residential (Single Family) Figure R301.2(4) shows the wind-borne debris region Section R609.6 is the requirement for protection. Florida Building Code - Building (Multifamily, Hotels) Figure 1609.3(1) shows the Vult requirements for most buildings (Risk Category II). Some larger hotels may be Risk Category III shown in Figure 1609.3(2). Section 2407.1.4 is the requirements for glazing.

monothingie39 minutes ago

My guess is that they have a working plan for phased shutdown, but they want to time any announcements so that it will minimize the lost revenue from any potential unplanned and extended shutdown. (And I think it is optimistic thinking to expect that the parks will be open and ready a day or two after the storm passes.) In reality if Central Florida takes a pounding, there will be no realistic ability to open up the parks immediately after and there will be little to no desire by anyone to want to actually visit and stay there given the potential impacts in the surrounding areas.

celluloid52 minutes ago

The issue is(and not all problems can be solved but the reality) you do a half day Wedsnesday and the employees still have to get home. Many that work central live in the Tampa/Plant City/Lakeland areas. We know Weds is closed because they closed reservations for the parks. Thursday likely a late opening at their best wishes as they should be assessing the damage once the storm is done overnight. This is why now that Legoland announced theirs you will see Weds and Thurs WDW/UO/SWO closed. HHN Weds(of course)/Thurs likely closed as well. BGT just did theirs. Closed startings Tuesday tomorrow. It makes sense because they are closer to the coast being Tampa Bay and all, but also...I commend them for doing the right thing and giving Tuesday to the crew to prep and the rest to remain home and hopefully prep.