US carriers are maintaining and extending their cargo embargoes at stations in Florida as Hurricane Milton makes landfall.
Overnight the hurricane weakened from category five to three but is still expected to cause widespread destruction with storm surges of more than 10 ft.
In response, airlines have been adding embargoes to their cargo operations in Florida.
American Airlines Cargo has added an embargo at eight stations in Florida: Orlando International (MCO), Southwest Florida International (RSW), Sarasota–Bradenton International (SRQ), Jacksonville International (JAX), Tampa International (TPA), Palm Beach International (PBI), Daytona Beach International (DAB) and Gainesville Regional (GNV).
The embargoes at MCO, SRQ, JAX, PBI, DAB and GNV are all due to run until early on October 11. Meanwhile, the embargo at TPA will run until early on October 14 and the one at RSW will run until early on October 10.
Delta Cargo has placed an inbound/transfer/outbound embargo for all products at MCO, TPA, SRQ and RSW until October 11.
United Cargo said that Miami International Airport (MIA) will have a delayed opening on October 10, with its freight facility opening at 08:00 EDT.
It added that PBI, JAX would reopen early on October 11 and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) will restrict all Specialty Products (LifeGuard, UAPremium, QuickPak, TempControl, UASecure, and TrustUA) on Thursday, October 10 with regular service expected to resume early on October 11.
“We anticipate resuming service at the times listed depending on the weather conditions,” United Cargo said. “Any cargo currently in transit and destined for PBI and JAX during the closure period will be retained at the previous station, unless a reroute has been requested by the customer.”