Airports to start closing Tuesday

Airports are making moves to secure passengers and planes as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's west coast.

Punta Gorda Airport, which runs exclusively Allegiant flights, did not give a definite closure time for passengers.

Kaley Miller, PGD communications director, said all flights to and from PGD will be canceled starting Tuesday.

Allegiant already canceled some flights on Monday ahead of the storm, Miller said.

Per Allegiant’s Travel Alerts webpage, passengers will receive an email notification if their flight is disrupted by Hurricane Milton.

Options will also be shared for those still looking to make travel plans.

For more information, visit www.flypgd.com/airport-storm-preparations/.

To contact Allegiant, visit www.allegiantair.com or call 702-505-8888.

SARASOTA-BRADENTON

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport announced it will close at 4 p.m. Tuesday due to Hurricane Milton.

SRQ will reopen once "safe to do so," according to an online post made Monday, CEO Rick Piccolo said

"That's really the reason," Piccolo said. "The storm isn't approaching anywhere that's problematic until Wednesday morning."

With airlines already cancelling all flights to and from SRQ on Wednesday and Thursday, the airport itself will be shut down to give staff more time to prepare.

Crews have to tie down jet bridges before Hurricane Milton's arrival, which require zero air traffic to complete.

Travel options dwindle as the county inches closer to Milton's arrival time, which is forecasted to be Wednesday.

Piccolo addressed resident concerns for air travel, urging people to check with each individual airline for spare seats leaving before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

For those who already jetted out to safety, Piccolo assured passengers cars in long-term parking will stay safe during the storm.

With an elevation of 30 feet, no history of flooding in past hurricanes and no damage with 20 inches of rain from last month's hurricane, the CEO is not concerned.

As for re-opening, Piccolo follows Tampa Airport's decision to leave the date open until the recovery phase begins.

"People have to be able to get to the airport, too, so we will wait and see where the community is after this," Piccolo said.

TAMPA INTERNATIONAL

Tampa International Airport announced its closure starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, cancelling hundreds of flights residents were hoping to catch out of Florida.

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Terminal announced it will close after the last flight departs Tuesday and remain closed Wednesday and Thursday. Administrative Offices are closed through Thursday.

For more information on emergency planning in Pinellas County, visit disaster.pinellas.gov