Hurricane Idalia Update - Operational Impacts

Date: August 29, 2023

As you may be aware, Hurricane Idalia is approaching Florida's west coast and is expected to make landfall tomorrow morning in the Big Bend area north of Tampa. Our thoughts are foremost with our flying partners who will be affected by this event. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Operational Updates:

•        Tampa Airport (TPA) closed today at 0001 EDT.
•        Sarasota Airport (SRQ) closed at 1900 EDT today.

Please note that these closure times are current as of the time of this letter but may be updated. Both airports are expected to remain closed until at least Thursday.

Safety Measures:

Your personal safety should not be compromised. If you find that your ability to travel is affected by the storm, please refer to Section 28 – Commuter Program for guidance on what steps to take for "unable-to-travel" situations.

Support and Resources:

The AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24/7 at 800-424-2406 for emotional support and guidance.

We understand that the impact of Hurricane Idalia will be significant and far-reaching, affecting many of our colleagues. In light of this, we want to remind you of the resources available through the AFA Disaster Relief Fund. This fund was established to support AFA members and retirees who have experienced substantial damage or displacement due to natural disasters.

We highly encourage you to contribute to this fund to provide much-needed assistance to those of us who will be affected by Hurricane Idalia. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in someone’s life during this difficult time.

Additional AFA Hurricane Resources.

We are a family, and during challenging times like these, it is more important than ever to look out for each other.

Stay safe and look out for one another.