Originally Posted by
scootr5
Nothing for MIA even though they're in the path?
As of the 11am EDT NHC update (just issued), the Hurricane Warning technically runs from north of Golden Beach Florida to Edisto Beach South Carolina. Granted it's "nits", but Golden Beach is north of MIA (actually closer to FLL). Updates here:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#MATTHEW
On the early morning FAA telecom, MIA ATC and MIA airport authorities made it clear that they intend to remain open for the duration. They plan to place the ASRs at FLL and MIA in free-spin mode later today (normal, procedure, given the forecasted winds). MIA TRACON will rely on ZMA LRSR during this period, which typically requires substantially increased aircraft separation in the terminal areas. They did note that AA and other major carriers planned to cease operations in and out of MIA, so traffic will be at a minimum.
As noted in the past, all aircraft have finite limits re: max wind/crosswind components for takeoff/landing, etc. It quickly reaches a point at which the airport authority declaring a facility open/closed vs. the FAA being able to provide appropriate ATC services vs. the airlines' ability to keep operating vs. the Customers and/or airport Employees' ability to actually get into and out of the airport makes the whole discussion moot anyway.
Our resident expert in dealing all of this from an airline's operational perspective will likely happen along and perhaps provide some generalized numbers and how they impact operations.