Airlines cancel flights, airports close as Florida prepares for Hurricane Milton

Debris surrounds the Faraway Inn Cottages and Motel successful the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, successful Cedar Key, Fla. (AP)

Southwest Airlines, 1 of the largest carriers successful the US, confirmed it was adjusting its docket astatine aggregate airports, including Tampa International and Orlando International, some of which are halting operations.

Orlando International, 1 of the nation’s busiest airports, is acceptable to suspend services astatine 8 a.m. section clip connected Wednesday, according to a announcement connected its website. Tampa International, meanwhile, closed connected Tuesday.

Among the airlines astir apt to beryllium affected by the hurricane are Allegiant Air, Sun Country Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. According to Raymond James analysts, the combined interaction of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, which precocious deed Florida, could suppress question demand.

Allegiant and JetBlue person already cancelled 41 and 92 flights respectively connected Tuesday, portion Sun Country told Reuters it had cancelled 19 rider flights.

Teams enactment to cleanable up piles of debris from Hurricane Helene flooding up of the accomplishment of Hurricane Milton, successful Holmes Beach connected Anna Maria Island, Fla. (AP)

As Hurricane Milton intensifies, moving past Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and approaching Florida’s Gulf Coast, implicit 1 cardinal radical person been ordered to evacuate.

In response, airlines specified arsenic United Airlines, JetBlue, and Air Canada person added other capableness to assistance evacuate passengers from the region.

(with inputs from Reuters)