Major Florida airports suspend operations ahead of Hurricane Ian, here's what to know if you're impacted

Florida air travelers are facing major disruptions ahead of Hurricane Ian.

Several of the state's busiest airports – including Orlando International Airport (MCO) – are suspending operations as Ian approaches as a “major” Category 3 storm.

The biggest so far is Orlando International – the world’s seventh-busiest airport in 2021 – which announced it will “cease operations” at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The airport encouraged affected passengers to contact their carrier for rebooking information.

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Orlando International joined a rapidly growing list of Florida airports saying they’d halt flights and close terminals during what’s expected to be the worst of the storm. The Orlando area’s other airport – Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), which serves mostly budget carriers – said it would close its doors at 5 p.m. and urged customers not to come to the airport.

In the Tampa Bay region, which remains at risk of a potential landfall by Ian, Tampa International Airport (TPA) had already announced plans to shut down operations at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Across the bay, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) near St. Petersburg was set to close at 1 p.m.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on Florida’s Gulf Coast said it would close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Related: Cruise disruptions grow due to Hurricane Ian

Other airports across the state could suspend operations and close their terminals as Ian’s track firms up. All passengers with Florida plans this week should monitor their flights for possible disruptions.

Tips for passengers affected by airport closures

With multiple Florida airports closed and weather impacting others, there will be a long list of impacted travelers.

If your flight is canceled due to Hurricane Ian, you should be eligible for a refund, if desired. Many airlines are also offering fee-free changes via weather waivers in place for the area. However, if you still need to fly in or out of the area as soon as possible, then your best bet may be to connect with your air carrier for flight change options.

Often, these alternative travel will be available to you when you log into your reservation, which may be a better avenue that contacting the airline since hold times often spike during widespread events. The available flight options will likely be very dynamic and change rapidly at times as flight schedules adjust and other passengers change their plans. In other words, be very proactive and move quickly when you see a flight that would work for your needs.

Related: How to quickly reach an airline customer service agent

Airlines are not likely to cover the cost of unplanned hotel reservations, rental cars and meals incurred as a result of an impacted flight when the cause is the weather. However, you might be eligible for coverage with some expenses via your credit card company if you booked your flight using a credit card with built-in trip delay or trip cancellation coverage.

If that is the case, you might be able to recover some of the costs via that protection, such as accommodations covered by the terms and conditions of protection offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Platinum Card® from American Express, for example.

Remember, it may take the impacted airports —TPA, MCO, SFB, PEI and potentially others, a matter of days to resume normal flight operations, even once the airport itself reopens.

For more info on steps to take when your flight is delayed or canceled, read:

• Your flight is canceled or delayed – here’s what you should do next
• What you can ask from an airline after a delayed or canceled flight
• The 9 best credit cards with travel insurance
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here are the best credit cards with trip delay reimbursement

Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner and Summer Hull.

This is a developing story. Check back for additional updates.