This GOES-East GoeColor satellite image taken at 2:36 p.m. EST and provided by NOAA shows Tropical Storm Nicole approaching toward the northwestern Bahamas and Florida’s Atlantic coastline on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.
NOAA | AP
Tropical Storm Nicole snarled Florida travel Wednesday, prompting at the least two airports to suspend operations as forecasters warned of “hurricane conditions” for the state’s east coast.
Orlando International Airport said it could suspend operations from 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday “until circumstances permit operations resume.” Nearly 300 scheduled flights to Orlando, greater than half the schedule, were canceled on Wednesday. Greater than 80% of the Thursday schedule for the airport was scrubbed.
Palm Beach International Airport said later Wednesday that flights out and in of the airport were canceled.
Miramar, Florida-based Spirit Airlines, said it could waive change fees and fare differences for Fort Lauderdale and Miami flights through Nov. 14 and Orlando flights through Nov. 16. The budget carrier said it could proceed waiving change fees after that but that passengers would should pay the difference in fare.
Other airlines including JetBlue, which has a big operation in Fort Lauderdale, and Southwest, American and Delta, also waived fees for travelers affected by the storm.
The storm is threatening the state a few month and a half after Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida, causing severe damage within the Fort Meyers and Naples areas and other parts of its Gulf Coast.
Spirit said Hurricane Ian cost it as much as $15 million through the fourth quarter on account of lower bookings and canceled flights.
