2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Liv Clarke)
Flights between the UK and Florida have been cancelled ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall in the USA. The tropical storm is expected to hit the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, with the state bracing itself for devastating conditions. Airports in Orlando and Tampa have announced closures and airlines have shared changes to flying schedules as the storm is set to bring major travel disruption.
Evacuation orders have been issued by the US government for the area with residents told that they won’t be helped by emergency services if they remain at home. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued an update for the USA , warning of an “increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and high winds”. It has urged UK travellers to monitor updates and follow the instructions of authorities, “including evacuation orders”.
READ MORE: When will Hurricane Milton hit Florida as NASA video reveals huge scale According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, of the 14 one-way flights scheduled between the UK and Florida today, October 9, 11 of them have been cancelled so far, including all flights to Orlando International and Tampa. In its latest update, TUI has said that is is “closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Milton” and announced that has cancelled the flight TOM070 from London Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, October 9. Tui has issued an update for passengers travelling to Florida (Image: PA) It added that it will contact customers directly on the status of the following flights on October 10: TOM742 from Glasgow Airport and TOM 664 from Birmingham Airport.
For customers already in Florida, the airline and holiday operator said: “Tropical storms and hurricanes are not uncommon in the area and our hotels and resort teams are experienced in preparing for them. “If you’re in destination already, for your safety and wellbeing please follow any instructions given by your hotel management and resort teams.” Virgin Atlantic has been forced to cancel several flights and said that is is contacting any customers who may be impacted.
It added that the “safety and comfort of our customers and crew is our top priority”. The following Virgin Atlantic services have been cancelled: Wednesday 09 October 2024 VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow VS074 – Orlando to Manchester VS075 – Manchester to Orlando VS076 – Orlando to Manchester VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando VS092 – Orlando to London Heathrow VS135 - London Heathrow to Orlando VS136 – Orlando to London Heathrow VS225 – Edinburgh – Orlando has been delayed by 23 hours and will now operate on Thursday 10th October. Thursday 10 October 2024 VS129 – London Heathrow to Tampa VS130 – Tampa to London Heathrow VS073 – Manchester to Orlando VS074 – Orlando to Manchester VS075 – Manchester to Orlando VS076 – Orlando to Manchester VS091 – London Heathrow to Orlando VS092 – Orlando to London Heathrow VS135 - London Heathrow to Orlando VS136 – Orlando to London Heathrow VS225 – Edinburgh – Orlando has been delayed by a further 23 hours and will now operate on Friday 11 October.
The airline added that it's working hard to rebook customers, and that those who no longer wish to travel will be entitled to a refund, which they can do so on the airline’s website. Florida braces itself for the arrival Hurricane Milton (Image: AP) United Airlines, which also operates flights between the UK and the USA, issued an update informing customers that they can reschedule their flights to the following airports if they meet the following criteria: the travel dates are between October 7 and October 12 and the original tickets were purchased on or before October 4. The airports affected are: Key West, FL, US (EYW); Fort Lauderdale, FL, US (FLL); Jacksonville, FL, US (JAX); Orlando, FL, US (MCO); Miami, FL, US (MIA); West Palm Beach, FL, US (PBI); Fort Myers, FL, US (RSW); Sarasota/Bradenton, FL, US (SRQ); Tampa, FL, US (TPA).
United said: “You can reschedule your trip and we’ll waive change fees and fare differences. But, your new flight must be a United flight departing between October 5, 2024 and October 19, 2024. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.
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