Tampa International Airport will suspend operations Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene

Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, with the Airport remaining closed to the public until it can assess any damage after the storm.

The Airport and its partners will use time ahead of the suspension to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft before the storm arrives Thursday. The three other public airports managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority - Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive and Plant City Airports - will also close at 2 a.m. Thursday.

TPA, including the Main Terminal and Airsides, will not be open for public use and is not equipped to function as a shelter for people or vehicles.

The Airport anticipates reopening Friday morning following a damage assessment that will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. TPA will closely coordinate the reopening of the Airport with its partners, including the Transportation Security Administration and airlines, based on roadway safety, facility readiness and staffing. Any changes to the timing will be promptly communicated.

Important reminders for passengers:

• Please contact your airline for the latest flight information. TPA will announce if flight operations are affected by the storm, but airlines are responsible for their schedules.
• Monitor the weather closely. Please stay up to date on forecasts for your area and any regions to which you may be traveling to or from.
• Follow TPA social media for the latest updates. Our account on X (formerly Twitter), @FlyTPA, will be the place to find the latest updates.