When will airports in Tampa and Orlando areas reopen post-Hurricane Milton?

Cleanup and damage assessments are underway at airports in Florida after Hurricane Milton barreled into the state’s western coast as a Category 3 storm.
Multiple airports in the Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando areas closed in the hours and days ahead of landfall, with thousands of flights canceled.
Bridges and roads were also closed in the wake of Milton, with damage assessments underway.
Here’s a look at the latest on when airports are expected to reopen.
Tampa International Airport
The airport reopened for commercial and cargo operations at 8 a.m. Friday, after crews conducted a “thorough inspection of the 3,300-acre campus and its buildings.”
“Roadways are clear and parking garages are in good shape,” airport officials said. “The City of Tampa confirmed the Airport is not experiencing wastewater issues and the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting station had no significant damage. The FAA reports the air traffic control tower is ready for full operations.”
The airport’s campus did sustain some damage following the extreme wind gusts and heavy rainfall during the hurricane and some areas will need repairs, airport officials said. Among the impacts, six boarding bridges that move passengers to aircraft were damaged by high winds and parts of the main terminal had leaks and need repairs.
The airport is also “evaluating staffing levels after one of the biggest evacuation events we’ve had in recent Tampa Bay history.”
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
The Tampa Bay-area airport will reopen on Saturday at 4:30 a.m., airport officials said.
“Check airlines for flight info,” the airport said on X Friday. “Be careful on roads as many traffic lights are out. Limited parking options available.”
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
The Sarasota airport will remain closed until 9 a.m. on Oct. 16, airport officials said Friday.
Concourse B lost its entire roof, airport officials said, as they shared photos of the destruction.
The airport recorded one of the strongest gusts of any location during the storm at 102 mph.
Orlando International Airport
The airport reopened at 4 a.m. Friday for commercial and private passenger operations after crews conduct damage assessments on Thursday.
“Please check with your airline directly for any specific updates prior to your travels,” airport officials said.
Orlando Sanford International Airport
The airport, located north of Orlando in Sanford, resumed operations on Friday.
Allegiant passengers were advised to check with the airline for questions about how Milton might impact their flights.