Hurricane Milton is causing flight cancellations, Florida airport closures

Hurricane Milton is already causing flight cancellations and airport closures in Florida days ahead of its expected landfall .

The hurricane is churning in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida's Gulf Coast. Forecast maps show Milton could make landfall early Thursday in or near the Tampa Bay area.

Hurricane Milton flight cancellations

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, which serves the Tampa Bay area, announced on Monday that all of its flights are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday.

"The airport is in a mandatory evacuation zone and is not a public shelter," it said . "Prepare and stay safe."

Tampa International Airport (TPA) said it will suspend operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Other flight cancellations and delays are expected across Florida as the storm approaches and hits the state. Milton is forecast to remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters.

Which Florida airports are open and closed?

• St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) said it will close on Tuesday after the last flight leaves.
• Tampa International Airport (TPA) said it will suspend operations at 9 a.m. Tuesday and asked travelers to check with their airline for flight information.
• Orlando International Airport (MCO) said it will suspend commercial operations at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) said no commercial flights will operate Wednesday and Thursday.
• Miami International Airport (MIA) said on Monday that it was open and monitoring Hurricane Milton. It encouraged travelers to confirm their flight status with their airline.
  
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) said on Monday that it remained open and was monitoring the storm for inclement weather that was likely to impact the region.
  
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) said it was open and operational Monday. "We will announce any change in operations on social media and on our website at pbia.org," it said .
• Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) said it was open and operational as of Monday morning.