Florida Airports Facing Major Delays After Christmas

As passengers return home from their family get-togethers or vacations, some Florida airports are facing major delays. These delays are affecting passengers all across the Sunshine State.

Hundreds of flights were delayed Tuesday at airports across Florida, impacting thousands of travelers beginning the day after Christmas. Delays extended into Wednesday morning. The delays are caused by the Federal Aviation Administration implementing a delay program, Tampa International Airport (TPA) posted to X.

This delay program was implemented to manage air traffic volume nationwide. However, it contributed to the travel delays experienced by many. The FAA’s program was introduced in response to heavy air traffic and weather concerns and aimed to handle the surge in air traffic but resulted in extended hours of waiting for travelers.

🚨 TRAVEL ALERT 🚨 The FAA has implemented a delay program impacting Florida airports, including TPA. As a result, some flights may be delayed. Please check directly with your airline for the latest flight updates ✈️

— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) December 26, 2023

Most flights into Florida (excluding Jacksonville) were delayed an average of two hours due to airspace and flight volume. Airlines were attempting to avoid the delays and cancellations that caused travelers extended wait times last year, including a major snowstorm.

Ground delay programs are used to control air traffic volume to airports where the projected traffic demand is expected to exceed its acceptance rate for a lengthy period of time, according to the FAA website. Flights into these airports are then given new controlled departure times from the agency.

Tuesday’s delays included more than 200 flights delayed, most of them from Southwest Airlines. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and Miami International Airport (MIA) also saw hundreds of delays each on Tuesday, according to Patch.

The Transportation Security Administration reported that 12 million passengers came through TSA security checkpoints across the U.S. in the days leading up to the Christmas holiday. “We’re expecting high travel volumes to continue through this week and New Year’s Day,” the TSA posted on X.

Officials suggest travelers should be at the airport ticket counter three hours before their flight to check for delays and to be processed through TSA. Travelers should also check directly with their airlines for the latest information on their specific flights.