Scots Flights to Florida Cancelled as Hurricane Milton Engulfs US State – Daily Record
Travellers hoping to journey from Glasgow or Edinburgh airport to Florida may face cancellations as Hurricane Milton lashes the US. Tampa and Orlando airports have shut down due to “severe weather conditions” following a state of emergency declaration in anticipation of the category five hurricane. Disney World and Universal Orlando have closed their parks until at least tomorrow, October 10, as per reports from Glasgow Live. President Joe Biden has cautioned that the storm could be one of the most severe in a century. Over six million people have been advised to evacuate the area before the storm hits. Airlines like TUI, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways have cancelled or delayed flights to Florida, including those from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Orlando Airport shut down at 8 am (local time) today and is set to reopen at 6 pm (local time) on Thursday, October 10. Meanwhile, Tampa Airport has been closed since Tuesday and plans to resume operations from 8 am on Friday, October 11. TUI has already cancelled a flight today, with more potential cancellations on the horizon. The TOM742 flight from Glasgow Airport scheduled for departure on Thursday, October 10, has been affected. A TUI spokesperson expressed, “The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we are closely monitoring Hurricane Milton’s path, which is expected to cause significant disruptions in Florida starting Wednesday. Melbourne International Airport is likely to face extensive disruptions. Flights scheduled for Thursday, 10th October, will be delayed for a minimum of 24 hours and operated on Friday, 11th October. Affected Virgin Atlantic flights from Edinburgh Airport include: Wednesday, 9 October – VS225 – Edinburgh to Orlando has been delayed by 23 hours and is now scheduled for October 10. Thursday, 10 October – VS225 – Edinburgh to Orlando has been delayed a further 23 hours and will now operate on Friday, 11 October. A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson commented, “Due to the severe weather conditions accompanying Hurricane Milton, a state of emergency has been declared in Florida, leading to the closure of Tampa and Orlando airports. This has impacted our flight schedule to and from Orlando and Tampa, with cancellations and delays expected. The safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority, and we are reaching out to affected passengers to discuss their options. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flights on virginatlantic.com for the latest updates. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) recommends that travellers monitor the US National Hurricane Centre website for storm updates and follow local authority instructions, including evacuation orders. It is also advised to check with airlines or travel agents for potential disruptions. An FCDO spokesperson stated, “We are closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Milton towards the United States. We urge all British nationals in Florida or travelling to the region to follow travel advice and guidance from local authorities.” Stay updated with the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – sign up for our daily newsletter here.