Hurricane Matthew Impacting Air Travel in Tampa Bay, Across Florida

TAMPA, FL — As Hurricane Matthew heads toward Florida’s east coast, the powerful storm is doing more than causing evacuations. It’s also creating a bit of a mess in regard to air travel in Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

Orlando International Airport announced plans to shut down operations starting around 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. Tampa International Airport, however, was open and operating with no plans to close as of Thursday morning.

“We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Matthew’s track and current wind speeds at TPA,” the Tampa airport announced on its Facebook page. “As of 9:30 this morning (Thursday), we are seeing some delays and cancellations, most of which are to and from Florida airports closer to Matthew’s path.”

TIA updated its status Thursday afternoon.

"Still here, still open, still not in the Hurricane Matthew cone," airport officials wrote. "Strong winds and rain are forecast over the next 24 hours, but as of now, we expect to remain open and fully operational."

TIA is asking passengers to check with their airlines before arriving.

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At St. Pete-Clearwater International, flights were running on time Thursday morning with no plans to close ahead of the storm announced. The story was mostly the same at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, but officials there were asking passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Click on the following links to check on flight status at:

• Tampa International
• Orlando International
• St. Pete-Clearwater International
• Sarasota Bradenton International

Meanwhile, Hurricane Matthew’s impending arrival has caused closing and cancellations at airports along the east coast.

“Generally, airlines don’t operate in sustained crosswinds that exceed 35 mph, please expect cancellations on Thursday,” Miami International Airport wrote on its website.

As of the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. Oct. 6 update, Hurricane Matthew was positioned about 30 miles south-southwest of Nassau, Bahamas. The system was moving northwest at 12 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.

“Additional strengthening is expected today, and Matthew is forecast to be a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches the east coast of Florida,” the hurricane center’s report said. Hurricane-force winds extended out up to 40 miles Thursday morning. Tropical storm-force winds extended out 160 miles, forecasters said.

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