Flight delays: How the severe weather is affecting Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports

Travelers at South Florida’s two major airports faced more delays Thursday because of the rain and flooding in the region.

On Thursday morning, Miami International Airport had canceled 187 flights and delayed 47 others, according to Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Those figures jumped to 284 flights canceled and 132 flights delayed by 3 p.m. The storms had not even started by then, so if they hit later in the evening as forecast, those numbers would likely increase.

Chin urged travelers to confirm the status of their flight with the airline before heading to MIA.

They should also take note that “parking garages are near capacity because many returning passengers have had their flights canceled or delayed,” he said.

Once travelers confirm their flights, he recommended they find other ways to get to MIA: ride-share services, taxi, public transportation, family or a friend.

MORE: Is your Miami flight delayed from the rain and flooding? Here are easy ways to check

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has canceled 77 flights — 39 arrivals and 38 departures – as of Thursday morning. The numbers grew to 90 canceled flights — 52 arrivals and 38 departures — by 4 p.m. Thursday. The airport also reported 106 delayed flights: 45 arrivals and 61 departures.

Affected destinations include Boston, Guatemala City, Dallas/Forth Worth; Charlotte/Douglas International Airport; Richmond, Virginia; Atlanta, San Francisco; and Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Kingston, Jamaica.

Airport spokesperson Arlene Satchell said that while the bad weather was likely the major cause of the disruption at FLL, other factors including airline operational issues or federal air space air traffic management initiatives may have contributed.

She urged anyone traveling to FLL to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information before coming to the airport.

For drivers, FLL said on X just before 3 p.m. Thursday that the section of East Perimeter Road near the airport entrance has reopened after flooding had shut it down. The I-595 or U.S. 1 exits into the Broward airport continue to be other options.

As rain returns, travelers should continue to watch for roadway updates and check with their airlines before heading for the airport, she said.

For FAA traffic management initiatives relating to weather conditions in South Florida, travelers can visit this site: https://nasstatus.faa.gov/

This story was originally published June 13, 2024 at 12:32 PM.