From sunshine and seventy to thunderstorms and high winds in a matter of moments, Florida is unpredictable. The only thing dependable about Florida weather is that it is undependable. While that can ruin your beach day, it plays Hell on the travel industry. Sudden storms or rocket launches (yes, rocket launches) can cause numerous delays and problems for airlines and passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) vows to fix Florida flights and make travel more effortless in the Sunshine State.
FAA to Step in on Florida Flight Flow
The FAA said Wednesday that it would add staff to Jacksonville’s critical air traffic control center. It also named other places to receive help, but not how many.
The announcement came during a two-day meeting between the FAA and about a dozen airline representatives. The airlines told the FAA that Florida flights would surpass 2019 numbers.
Air traffic to Florida picked up faster than in many other places during the pandemic. Maybe due to travelers seeking a reprieve from stricter COVID requirements. It looks to continue as airlines have scheduled even more flights for this summer. That raises concern about the potential for massive disruptions that could ripple far beyond the state’s borders.
Cape Canaveral Interrupts Florida Flights
The FAA also committed to advising airlines of space launches from Cape Canaveral on Florida’s east coast. Its location is not far from airports in Orlando to its west. It’s also near Daytona to its north and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Miami to the south. Airlines don’t always know about space launches until days beforehand. The short notice gives them little time to adjust to routes closed off to flights.
The FAA said it would make more use of alternate routes. Sometimes these routes would run at lower altitudes, which would increase fuel burn. This move would allow airlines to keep planes moving after disruptions. The agency said it would also develop a response plan to air traffic backups. Similar to what it does in the New York City area.
