TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa International Airport reopened to the public on Friday.
Travelers were able to wave to Phoebe once again as TPA workers and TSA allowed passengers to pass through airport gates as early as 6 a.m. Flights resume around 8 a.m. Friday, according to the airport.
The airport is advising travelers to check their airline for flight updates and their rental car company for updated hours. It added that there will be limited food and drink options at first. Officials anticipate more businesses to reopen in the coming days.
The reopening comes after a three-day flight suspension ahead of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Wednesday near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm.
Staff conducted damage assessments Thursday morning and are working to address the effects of the storm, according to a news release from TPA.
Photos below are of Thursday's damage assessments.
"Roadways are clear and parking garages are in good shape," officials outlined in the release. "The City of Tampa confirmed the Airport is not experiencing wastewater issues and the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting station had no significant damage."
However, heavy winds and rainfall from Milton did impact several areas of the airport. Officials listed the following as challenges they are addressing:
- TPA’s fuel depot lost power but is running on generator power while TECO is onsite assisting with permanent repairs.
- Six boarding bridges that move passengers from the airsides to aircraft were damaged by high winds.
- Debris across the campus, including at the Airside C shuttle guideway, and repairing leaks in parts of the main terminal and some gate hold areas.
- The general aviation fixed-base operator, Signature, has some significant structural damage, though no aircraft damage has been reported.
Despite the damage, TPA worked Thursday to prepare for Friday morning departures. To check your flight status, click here.