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Tui Orlando flights remain grounded in wake of Hurricane Ian

Tui will not be able to resume flights to Orlando until Saturday after deadly Hurricane Ian devastated much of Florida.

The operator, which has been forced to cancel Florida services from a range of UK airports, said that Melbourne-Orlando airport would reopen today.

However, Tui added: “Due to effects on some infrastructure, we won’t be able to operate any Tui flights into Melbourne-Orlando Airport until Saturday 1st October.

“We are in the process of contacting all affected customers to update them on their rescheduled flight times.

“Any Tui customers flying with third party airlines should check with their operating airline for any flight updates.”

The disclosure came as recovery and clean-up efforts began in Florida after the hurricane Ian caused billions of dollars in storm damage. 

At least 13 deaths were confirmed and more than 2.6 million homes and businesses in Florida had no electricity as of Thursday evening.

President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration, freeing up federal funds for response and recovery efforts. 

Damage and economic losses are expected to total at least $45 billion, according to disaster models.

The president said that Ian might have been the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history and added: “The numbers are still unclear but we’re hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life.”

The hurricane made landfall on Wednesday near the city of Fort Myers and brought severe flooding, high winds and storm surges

Fort Myers, Naples and communities including Cape Coral were among the hardest hit.

A section of the only road bridge leading from the mainland to the resort islands of Sanibel and Captiva collapsed.

Residents caught in flooded homes in the Orlando suburb of Kissimmee,were reported as having to wade to dry ground or be brought out on airboats.

Ian has strengthened once again into a category one hurricane, after being downgraded to a tropical storm.

It moved over the Atlantic, gaining strength before being projected to make landfall again in South Carolina today.

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