Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, with tropical force winds affecting the west coast from Wednesday morning.
As a result, a flight today from Dublin to Orlando has been cancelled and it’s expected flights on that route tomorrow will also be cancelled given Orlando International Airport have said they will cease operations from today due to the storm.
Milton reached sustained winds of 290km/h earlier this week in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to be among the most damaging storms ever to make landfall in the US despite weakening before doing so. Millions have been asked and are expected to evacuate parts of western Florida before landfall early on Thursday (Irish time).
Aer Lingus has informed passengers who planned to travel to the Orlando region over the coming days that they can rebook to travel on an alternative date within the next seven days due to the “impending arrival of Hurricane Milton and potential travel disruption”.
The airline has cancelled a flight planned between Dublin and Orlando this afternoon, while a a number of flights from the UK to Florida have also been axed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a travel alert due to Hurricane Milton this week as a state of emergency has been declared in 54 of Florida’s 67 counties, urging Irish citizens to evacuate if they are told to do so.
“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and floods across the Florida Peninsula. Irish citizens in the area should follow any advice given by local officials and evacuate if told to do so.”
It comes following mass power outages, flooding and extensive property damage to areas in Florida, Georgia, North Caroline, South Carolina and Tennessee, with the DFA telling citizens that travel to North Carolina in particular is “not currently recommended”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said there was an increasing risk of a life-threatening storm surge on the west coast due to Hurricane Millton making landfall, and heavy rainfall and high winds are expected to impact large parts of Florida.
Orlando International Airport said it would cease commercial passenger operations at 8am on Wednesday.
The airport added that commercial flights would “resume as soon as possible based on damage assessment”.
Tui said it expected its flying programme “to be extremely disrupted”, with Melbourne Orlando International Airport closing to commercial flights at 2pm on Wednesday and reopening at 9am on Friday.
The travel company said it had cancelled a flight to Melbourne Orlando from Gatwick on Wednesday and was “contacting customers directly to discuss their options”.
Virgin Atlantic said it had also cancelled numerous flights because of “adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Milton”, with a state of emergency declared in Florida.
The airline cancelled two flights on Tuesday between Heathrow and Tampa, and nine on Wednesday, including ones between Manchester and Orlando.
A further 10 flights have been called off on Thursday, involving Heathrow, Manchester, Orlando and Tampa.
Two flights from Edinburgh to Orlando have been delayed by 23 hours, one on Wednesday and one on Thursday.
Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/AP)
Virgin Atlantic said: “The safety and comfort of our customers and crew is our top priority and we are contacting any Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holiday customers who may be impacted by the hurricane to discuss their options.”
The FCDO said travellers should monitor approaching storms on the US National Hurricane Centre website and follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders.
It added that travellers should check with their airline or travel agent about possible disruption to flights or airport services.
An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Milton towards the United States.
“We urge all British nationals in Florida or travelling to the region to follow travel advice and guidance from local authorities.”
