Severe Thunderstorms Disrupt Flight Operations at Orlando Airport

Severe thunderstorms disrupt operations at Orlando International Airport.

News Summary

Severe thunderstorms have caused significant delays at Orlando International Airport (MCO), impacting both incoming and outgoing flights. With average delays reaching up to 62 minutes, travelers are facing challenging conditions as storms coincide with a peak travel period during spring break. The FAA has issued a ground delay advisory, and many travelers are experiencing long wait times at the airport due to weather-related disruptions. As conditions continue to change, passengers are encouraged to monitor their flight status closely.

ORLANDO – Severe thunderstorms have significantly impacted flight operations at Orlando International Airport (MCO), leading to extensive delays for both incoming and outgoing flights. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), flights arriving from within 1,200 miles are now facing substantial delays, with some flights delayed by an average of up to 62 minutes during peak afternoon hours.

Delays are especially pronounced between 3:15-3:59 p.m., where travelers can expect an average wait time of 60 minutes. The delays continue through the evening, with 58-minute delays expected from 5-5:59 p.m. and 49 minutes from 6-6:59 p.m. Moreover, flights departing from Orlando also experience delays, averaging 15 minutes, a figure that may increase as thunderstorms persist.

The weather disruptions have forced the FAA to issue a ground delay advisory and to implement a ground stop from 2:12-3:34 p.m. for flights heading to Orlando from numerous cities. This situation has been exacerbated by the peak travel period coinciding with spring break, during which Orlando International Airport anticipates over 7.4 million travelers during a 44-day span.

On Sunday alone, flight tracking app FlightAware reported upwards of 11,000 flight delays and nearly 1,000 cancellations for flights within and into the United States, as travelers faced lengthy waits at Orlando International Airport. Long lines have become a common sight for those attempting to check in or clear security, creating a challenging experience for many. One traveler noted that his flight to Omaha was canceled, forcing him and his family to find alternative arrangements, with the next available flight not until 24 hours later.

March 15 is projected to be the busiest day of travel during the spring break period, with nearly 200,000 travelers expected at MCO. Angela Starke, a senior executive at MCO, observed that severe weather can create a domino effect on air traffic across the nation, causing delays even if the weather-related issues are localized.

Adding to the weather complications, a winter storm has brought snow to parts of northern Florida, prompting alerts for winter weather warnings in areas including Pensacola, Panama City, and Tallahassee. These weather conditions further contribute to the ongoing delays and cancellations experienced at Orlando International Airport.

Travelers planning to fly to or from Orlando are advised to closely monitor their flight status with their airlines. The airport recommends downloading the MCO app to receive real-time updates on flight conditions. Additionally, travelers should anticipate longer wait times, especially if delays extend beyond three hours, which have been reported due to southbound flights crossing the Flow Constrained Area.

As severe weather continues to disrupt travel plans, passengers are encouraged to remain patient and informed to navigate the challenging travel conditions. Orlando International Airport remains committed to updating travelers as the situation develops.