bmacleod wrote:

Ironic that today 9/11 some of the busiest US airports are shut down....

Where is there irony? The entire US airspace was shut down on the afternoon of 9/11.

This weather pattern is pretty much par for the course for early to mid September. Peak part of hurricane season. Meanwhile it has been downright gorgeous everywhere else east of the Rockies. Clear blue skies over DC and NYC this morning just like on 9/11/01.

What are limits for ATL? Its 10:30 ET and it is still up and running, many flights in and out. Could ATL stay open through the storm? Around 10am peak gust was 36 from NE.

Any status updates on MCO, RSW, or TPA? What kind of hit did these take? I imagine RSW is a mess given the proximity of the eye yesterday.

I'm part of the hurricane crew working at ZJX. Last night we saw an altimeter setting of 2792 at RSW. I'm told we'll have a surveillance aircraft flying around later this afternoon taking surveillance of most of Florida. As for ATL, we still had departures off PNS and VPS this morning with minor deviations around what remains of Irma's outer bands.

capitalflyer wrote:

Any status updates on MCO, RSW, or TPA? What kind of hit did these take? I imagine RSW is a mess given the proximity of the eye yesterday.

I have heard nothing on those airports but I agree that RSW is probably a mess. I just read that WPB will re-open at noon today with only one DL flight scheduled to land. MIA/FLL will remain closed all day today as damage assessments are made.

KEWR2014 wrote:

I'm part of the hurricane crew working at ZJX. Last night we saw an altimeter setting of 2792 at RSW. I'm told we'll have a surveillance aircraft flying around later this afternoon taking surveillance of most of Florida. As for ATL, we still had departures off PNS and VPS this morning with minor deviations around what remains of Irma's outer bands.

My parents live about 15 minutes from RSW and probably just slightly more inland than RSW. While the storm was harrowing for them, the initial damage assessment in their area is much better than expected. Lanai cages with lots of screen damage, some trees lost, street flooding during the storm. And reportedly some houses in their development may have taken on a bit of water (may parents did not). But in the main, not nearly as bad as it could have been.

I don't know the status of RSW, but based on the proximity, RSW may have fared better than initially feared. But only time will tell.

RSW has this note on their website right now

If you are traveling Sept. 11 through Sept. 13, most airlines have cancelled flights at RSW due to Hurricane Irma. You should contact your airline to get the most current information.

And the Naple Daily News

Southwest Florida International Airport not expected to resume services until mid-week at earliest

cvgComair wrote:

AJMntheSkies wrote:

AMollenhauer9 wrote:

I believe there are several G4 aircraft currently parked in IND.

Did some more digging and saw that most of G4's MD-80s (and some A320s too) from SFB were sent to CVG on 9/8. Might make for some interesting pics. Many of G4's A320s were sent to IND as noted above.

Here is the ramp with all of Allegiant's planes parked at CVG:

This is awesome...thanks so much. Now to see how their airport fared...

DL sent a rescue flight today to St. Thomas to get some US citizens out that have been stuck on the island since the hurricane.

DL is flying a 757 is flying ATL-STT-SJU-DTW this afternoon.

PSU.DTW.SCE wrote:

DL sent a rescue flight today to St. Thomas to get some US citizens out that have been stuck on the island since the hurricane.

DL is flying a 757 is flying ATL-STT-SJU-DTW this afternoon.

Good to hear!

I have a friend that is stranded in Turks. Couldn't get out before the storm and still can't get out. The Canadian military sent a rescue flight but just for Canadians. Surprised the US military or US airlines aren't doing the same.

PSU.DTW.SCE wrote:

DL sent a rescue flight today to St. Thomas to get some US citizens out that have been stuck on the island since the hurricane.

DL is flying a 757 is flying ATL-STT-SJU-DTW this afternoon.

I take it you mean tourists as the locals on St. Thomas are also US citizens.

izbtmnhd wrote:

bmacleod wrote:

Ironic that today 9/11 some of the busiest US airports are shut down....

Where is there irony? The entire US airspace was shut down on the afternoon of 9/11.

This weather pattern is pretty much par for the course for early to mid September. Peak part of hurricane season. Meanwhile it has been downright gorgeous everywhere else east of the Rockies. Clear blue skies over DC and NYC this morning just like on 9/11/01.

Some of the busiest airports are shut down - yes hurricanes are typical for September but to have MCO FLL and MIA shut down and now mounting cancellations at ATL - for this to occur on 9/11 is quite an ironic event.....

Lots of transatlantic DL flights to ATL diverting after trying to land
DL 177 DUBATL
DL 29 LHRATL
DL 109 MADATL
DL 83 CDGATL

Plus more. All attempted landings and aborted. Not sure where they are going. Some others are circling

Bobloblaw wrote:

Lots of transatlantic DL flights to ATL diverting after trying to land
DL 177 DUBATL
DL 29 LHRATL
DL 109 MADATL
DL 83 CDGATL

Plus more. All attempted landings and aborted. Not sure where they are going. Some others are circling

DL 177 & 83 plus DL flights from LAX/DUS to ATL are all diverting to DTW.

Seat1F wrote:

Bobloblaw wrote:

Lots of transatlantic DL flights to ATL diverting after trying to land
DL 177 DUBATL
DL 29 LHRATL
DL 109 MADATL
DL 83 CDGATL

Plus more. All attempted landings and aborted. Not sure where they are going. Some others are circling

DL 177 & 83 plus DL flights from LAX/DUS to ATL are all diverting to DTW.

Looks like some might be going to CVG. 1105 CVG-ATL returning to CVG. MSP-ATL 2109 going to CVG

Quick glance at FR24 shows diversions to CVG, DTW, RDU, IAD, EWR, BWI, IND and MEM

From flightaware.com. Not sure how accurate.

Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 06:00PM EDT.
Key West Intl (KEYW) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Friday at 06:00AM EDT.
Fort Lauderdale Intl (KFLL) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 12:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Gainesville Rgnl (KGNV) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 04:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
North Perry (KHWO) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Saturday at 09:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Jacksonville Intl (KJAX) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 07:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Orlando Intl (KMCO) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 12:00PM EDT due to hurricane
exc 4 hour ppr.
Melbourne Intl (KMLB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 07:59PM EDT due to hurricane and 1 hr ppr.
Opa-locka Executive (KOPF) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 08:00AM EDT.
Clearwater Intl (KPIE) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 06:00AM EDT due to hurricane.
Orlando Sanford Intl (KSFB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 06:30AM EDT due to hurricane and 1 hr ppr.
Sarasota/Bradenton Intl (KSRQ) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 07:00AM EDT due to hurricane and clsd to fix wing.
Tallahassee Intl (KTLH) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 03:00PM EDT.
Tampa Intl (KTPA) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 06:00PM EDT.

capitalflyer wrote:

Any status updates on MCO, RSW, or TPA? What kind of hit did these take? I imagine RSW is a mess given the proximity of the eye yesterday.

Good news from RSW- no damage. Waiting to reopen until commercial power is restored and staffing is sufficient:

From RSW's Facebook page:

RSW Update: We have completed our safety inspections and there is no damage at Southwest Florida International Airport. For those of you who parked in the garage or long-term parking, everything is secure. The roadways in and out of RSW are accessible. Unfortunately, we cannot begin operations until commercial power is restored. We are working with our airlines and TSA to get staffing levels to where they need to be. RSW is doing everything we can to get air service back to Southwest Florida. Thanks to everyone for your support.

https://www.facebook.com/flyRSW/

mcogator wrote:

From flightaware.com. Not sure how accurate.

Daytona Beach Intl (KDAB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 06:00PM EDT.
Key West Intl (KEYW) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Friday at 06:00AM EDT.
Fort Lauderdale Intl (KFLL) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 12:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Gainesville Rgnl (KGNV) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 04:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
North Perry (KHWO) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Saturday at 09:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Jacksonville Intl (KJAX) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 07:00PM EDT due to hurricane.
Orlando Intl (KMCO) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 12:00PM EDT due to hurricane
exc 4 hour ppr.
Melbourne Intl (KMLB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 07:59PM EDT due to hurricane and 1 hr ppr.
Opa-locka Executive (KOPF) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 08:00AM EDT.
Clearwater Intl (KPIE) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 06:00AM EDT due to hurricane.
Orlando Sanford Intl (KSFB) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Tuesday at 06:30AM EDT due to hurricane and 1 hr ppr.
Sarasota/Bradenton Intl (KSRQ) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Wednesday at 07:00AM EDT due to hurricane and clsd to fix wing.
Tallahassee Intl (KTLH) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 03:00PM EDT.
Tampa Intl (KTPA) is currently experiencing an airport closure until Monday at 06:00PM EDT.

FLL's twitter feed states that the airport operators expect that operations there will resume tomorrow (12/09) at 4am:

https://twitter.com/FLLFlyer/status/907278861846675456

Wind last hour at ATL NE 43 gusts to 59. And I imagine it is likely to get worse before it gets better in the short term.

Spotter or FR24 enthusiast alerts: N782SP (Samaritan's Purse DC-8) is in the air right now from SJU to GSO, presumably returning from a supply run in Puerto Rico.

https://www.flightradar24.com/NSP8/ed2f19f

Edit to Add: N783TW (Ameristar Jet Charter DC-9, she is nearly 50 years old) is also in the air from MQY to JAN, as a charter.

https://www.flightradar24.com/AJI9311/ed2fa9b

AA cancel all regional flights out of CLT. WN, UA, and F9 have canceled all operations out of CLT till Tuesday morning.

https://twitter.com/CLTAirport/status/9 ... 5870629888

Some pictures here:

https://twitter.com/CLTAirport/status/9 ... 0843878407

Also looks like all flights are landing and and taking off via runway 5/23

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCLT

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:

SXM
SFG
SBH
AXA
EIS
VIJ
NGD
STT
SJU
GDT
XSC
PLS

United787 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:
SXM

https://eturbonews.com/163903/interview ... pretty-bad

Interview with St. Maarten Director of Tourism Rolando Brison: It’s pretty bad here
By Juergen T Steinmetz
September 8, 2017

Dutch St. Maarten Director of tourism Rolando Brison describes the impact of Hurricane Irma and recovery efforts saying it’s “pretty bad.”

Mr. Brison’s concern is to ensure the safety of tourists in the territory and get tourists home. Commercial flights may be in operation within a week. Another priority is to get the airport online, the port is functioning.

We are supporting one another, Brison said when it comes to cooperation between Caribbean nations and islands.

Click to listen to an interview with Rolando Brison:
https://soundcloud.com/user-255201979/s ... rma-update

A fundraising effort for Saint Martin relief supported by St. Maarten tourist bureau:
https://www.gofundme.com/rescuesxm

United787 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:

SXM
SFG
SBH
AXA
EIS
VIJ
NGD
STT
SJU
GDT
XSC
PLS

Not only is SJU open but it will assume a major role for being a hub for STT, SXM and SBH, in addition to its normal role as a hub for EIS.

SXM is hoping to open for commercial flights in a few weeks. Service will however be determined by whether airlines will chose to fly there given the obvious drop in demand. I think that the emphasis will be in resuming service to other Caribbean islands and especially to SJU, PTP and ANU which will be hubs for connections to North America and Europe.

STT and EIS are closed to commercial. PLS is open. AXA is open though the emphasis is on getting supplies in and stranded people out. I assume that the same goes for SFG. STT hopes to reopen to commercial flights on a restricted basis.

Those islands which can fix infrastructure to the point where they can welcome visitors will do so ASAP as the winter season isn't that far off. St Martin (Fr) will be closed to large scale tourism for a long time it seems. I think that the Dutch side might come on stream faster as they need the revenue. AXA is definitely attempted to get back in business as they are reporting that sufficient numbers of hotels only suffered minor damage and expect to reopen within a few months in time for the winter season.

United787 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:

SXM
SFG
SBH
AXA
EIS
VIJ
NGD
STT
SJU
GDT
XSC
PLS

Don't foget BBQ (Barbuda Codrington). As Barbuda was trashed by Irma and the entire population of 1,600 evacuated before Jose arrived, it's hard to see the airport becoming operational soon. And the new runway won't be built for a long time.

https://www.flightradar24.com/PJWII/ed5c4f1

I am guessing Winair is helping ferry supplies into SXM? Anyone know?

1 of their Islanders had the tail smashed off in the storm.

Hopefully the rest of the fleet is OK.

gunnerman wrote:

United787 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:

SXM
SFG
SBH
AXA
EIS
VIJ
NGD
STT
SJU
GDT
XSC
PLS

Don't foget BBQ (Barbuda Codrington). As Barbuda was trashed by Irma and the entire population of 1,600 evacuated before Jose arrived, it's hard to see the airport becoming operational soon. And the new runway won't be built for a long time.

With no functioning infrastructure and with the gov't of A&B having to finance rebuilding out of their own resources, as well as semi permanently housing Barbudans in ANU, its hard to see how this will be implemented even over the medium term.

So the question will be whether BBQ is another Montserrat with a large % of its population virtually exiled because of a natural disaster? Sad as they were getting new resorts which were going to put that island on the map.

Even before this disaster airline service to BBQ was a problem due to its small population.

Update on the Keys as of this afternoon:

Key West and Marathon airports are available for emergency flights only. Reports that American Airlines will have flights landing in Key West on Thursday and Friday are FALSE.

TWA302 wrote:

https://www.flightradar24.com/PJWII/ed5c4f1

I am guessing Winair is helping ferry supplies into SXM? Anyone know?

As of late last week their planes were still in SVD. There is an emerging problem that isn't being spoken of and that is the plight of Saba and Statia. These islands were minimally impacted so fall below the radar, though they are supplied out of SXM which is out of commission.

Reports are that these islands are running out of supplies as they cannot be provided through SXM. SKB had to rush some supplies in with local companies chipping in. Some cruise lines also dropped off supplies at SKB as the SXM port is out of commission.

So Winair is going to have to be back so that these smaller Dutch islands become reconnected to the outside world. SAB is such a horror that no airline other than Winair can land there.

PIE will be fully operational tomorrow. G4 is ferrying all their a/c back today. UPS will be resuming operations later today. Airport took minimal damage.

guyanam wrote:

United787 wrote:

Does anyone know the status of the Caribbean airports:

SXM
SFG
SBH
AXA
EIS
VIJ
NGD
STT
SJU
GDT
XSC
PLS

Not only is SJU open but it will assume a major role for being a hub for STT, SXM and SBH, in addition to its normal role as a hub for EIS.

SXM is hoping to open for commercial flights in a few weeks. Service will however be determined by whether airlines will chose to fly there given the obvious drop in demand. I think that the emphasis will be in resuming service to other Caribbean islands and especially to SJU, PTP and ANU which will be hubs for connections to North America and Europe.

STT and EIS are closed to commercial. PLS is open. AXA is open though the emphasis is on getting supplies in and stranded people out. I assume that the same goes for SFG. STT hopes to reopen to commercial flights on a restricted basis.

Those islands which can fix infrastructure to the point where they can welcome visitors will do so ASAP as the winter season isn't that far off. St Martin (Fr) will be closed to large scale tourism for a long time it seems. I think that the Dutch side might come on stream faster as they need the revenue. AXA is definitely attempted to get back in business as they are reporting that sufficient numbers of hotels only suffered minor damage and expect to reopen within a few months in time for the winter season.

"We cannot begin repairs and cleanup until after Hurricane Jose passes, which is supposed to be this weekend," Brison said. "A number of airlines, including Copa, Caribbean Airlines, Seaborne and Winair, have indicated they are ready to come in as soon as we give the word. They can transport visitors to other Caribbean islands that have commercial flights to the U.S. and elsewhere," he said.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-T ... -in-a-week

SXM seems to have resigned themselves to that fact that the majors are unlikely to return in the short term. As you said, the focus seems to be on getting the regional carriers in and having passengers connect from there. I'm surprised that he did not mention LIAT as one of the carriers looking to resume service quickly though.

Brickell305 wrote:

..
SXM seems to have resigned themselves to that fact that the majors are unlikely to return in the short term. As you said, the focus seems to be on getting the regional carriers in and having passengers connect from there. I'm surprised that he did not mention LIAT as one of the carriers looking to resume service quickly though.

The carriers mentioned seem to be the ones willing to provide assistance. Apparently LI and Insel aren't. Probably understandable as LIAT must be reeling from the heavy cancelations of flights in its peak season due to storm activity since June with Bret. And Insel is barely surviving.

Whatever happens the demand for travel to SXM and EIS for the foreseeable future will be impacted and geared more towards relief travel, including construction workers arriving from other parts of the Caribbean. A large % of the immigrant population who work in the service sector will have to leave as there isn't any work for them in the near term.

SXM is getting very bad publicity with images of damage going viral as well as news of violent looting as well. I had to head off a discussion in the office by suggesting that the violence is because conditions are extremely dire and panicked people feel compelled to seize what they can to survive. I expect that recovery will take sometime as tourists will have to be assured that conditions are back to normal. I think this winter season is a wipe out. Rumors of machete welding crowds trying to seize supplies from hotels doesn't help.

LIAT has some decisions to make concerning its northern routes given that SXM and EIS will see a sharp drop in business until next year at the earliest. As of now the only viable market is SKB and that only from ANU and points further south.

.

Winair will be starting flights as soon as allowed. It will do flights from SXM to SBH, SKB, ANU and into Saba and Statia. Lack of service to the latter two are creating a growing crisis on those islands, even though they haven't been impacted by Irma.

Irma costing LIAT millions
SHAWN CUMBERBATCH
14 September 2017

HURRICANE IRMA will cost LIAT millions of dollars in financial losses. Chief executive officer Julie Reifer-Jones yesterday revealed that the regional airline’s current inability to operate commercial flights in and out of St Maarten and Tortola meant it was likely to lose about $4.4 million (EC$6 million) between now and the end of the year.

Reifer-Jones was unable to give an estimated figure for likely losses during the entire hurricane season. However, speaking during a media conference call with regional media yesterday, she said the overall financial fallout would be “quite substantial”.

Overall, the airline was forced to cancel 33 flights since during Hurricane Irma’s deadly passage, its planes could not fly north of Dominica. “Regional travel is very dependent on what’s happening in the economies of the region and of course any horrific event of this sort will impact certain territories and also the region as a whole. And that will impact regional travel and LIAT. Frankly, this is one of the complexities facing a regional airline like LIAT,” she said.

(Continues)

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/ne ... t-millions

First estimates out of LIAT on the extent to which Irma will affect them financially.

Brickell305 wrote:

[
First estimates out of LIAT on the extent to which Irma will affect them financially.

Anytime now LIAT will be relocated to BGI. STT and STX canceled along with SJU ANU. Now EIS and SXM canceled until the rest of the year. SKB service will have to be realigned given that there will not be service to the north for a while. ANU increasingly doesn't look like a hub.

I think that Winair will get back in first as they have already announced that they will resume service shortly. Their services are needed for humanitarian and other purposes to SBH, EUX, and SAB. With SXM has a hub knocked out at least until early next year I think that any island with jet service will have to be an alternate. Definitely SJU ANU and PTP, with SKB as an alternate.

Even though tourism into STT STJ EIS AXA SBH and SXM will be down people connected to the rehabilitation of these islands will need access. Reconstruction labor will have to be recruited out of the usual sources, Jamaica, DR and Guyana, and to a lesser degree SKB DOM and SVD. Already rumors have it that SXM and BVI are inviting non nationals who have lost their jobs to return home.

It will be interesting to see what LI comes up with in its revised schedule. As of now their fleet is under utilized with cancelation of service to EIS and SXM.

In the meanwhile Inter Caribbean will be the first airline to resume commercial service to EIS. This I expect will allow US citizens stranded there to get to SJU.

Macron: France will rebuild St Martin island after Irma
Aid effort under way on St Martin as President Macron promises return of all 'essential communication' within a week

More here:


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/m ... 57843.html

barely a week has gone by since Irma annihilated SXM and other Islands.

Once the airport is repaired and roads are reopened, you will slowly see the Island come back to life. After the airport and roads become passable, next will be hotels and restaurants then homes and the rest will follow. For the people that lived there and owned business on SXM, that's all they know. They will rebuild, reopen and thrive before long. I'll go out on a limb and say by next March, a good part of Saint Maarten and some of the other Islands will be very much back in the swing of things.

News from the Sonesta Maho Beach:

[quoteDAMAGES AND CLOSURE:
Due to the severe damage caused to the island and our resorts, all reservations are cancelled until the end of the year. We will provide a more detailed update as soon as the situation allows.

Refund processing: all prepaid reservations will be refunded accordingly and all cancellations will be processed as soon as the situation allows. At this moment we have no access to our systems and are still focusing on relief efforts][/quote]

Donations can be made here:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

jumbojet wrote:

Macron: France will rebuild St Martin island after Irma
Aid effort under way on St Martin as President Macron promises return of all 'essential communication' within a week

More here:


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/09/m ... 57843.html

barely a week has gone by since Irma annihilated SXM and other Islands.

./

BVI and Anguilla were just as seriously damaged and have similar demographics but their societies seem to be holding together better. St Martin (Fr) has some serious issues which Macron will have to deal with in addition to just repairing buildings. France has to recognize the peculiar features of St Martin. It is an English speaking society that is part of France so should be viewed as bi lingual in the same way that Canada is. NOT monolingual French. This language issue and massive immigration of people from France itself has led to growing tensions.

Airports can be fixed an airline service can resume but people need to note how quickly St Martin descended into a form of chaos that didn't occur on either Anguilla or BVI. They need to ask themselves why.

Airlines are going to crawl cautiously back, maybe around Xmas, maybe in the mid winter. They will see loads. People don't like ti visit unstable places with resentful people so St Martin's problems will need to be addressed.

SXM is to reopen for commercial aviation on October 10th.

http://www.sxmairport.com/

KLM and Air France earlier said that they will resume flights from October 29th onwards. Slowly the island is recovering from Irma

Sand0rf wrote:

SXM is to reopen for commercial aviation on October 10th.

http://www.sxmairport.com/

KLM and Air France earlier said that they will resume flights from October 29th onwards. Slowly the island is recovering from Irma

Fantastic. Who's first back in? Local carriers (winair etc?)