"Thousands jammed at OIA"

Saturday, August 14, 2004

Thousands jammed at OIA
By Christopher Boyd
The Orlando (FL) Sentinel


Thousands of travelers jammed the main terminal of Orlando International
Airport today waiting for flights that couldn't take off. Planes
scheduled to land at OIA were diverted to other airports.

The airfield suffered serious damage during Charley, with roofs torn off
from three of the four airsides and rubble covering the surrounding
tarmacs and taxiways.

Cargo and private flights resumed early in the day, but airline flights
were delayed until 3 p.m. EDT, said Federal Aviation Administration
spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen in Atlanta.

Airport director William Jennings said flights wouldn't depart until
debris was cleared and electronic security equipment tested. He urged
travelers to check with airlines before heading to OIA.

Meanwhile, Orlando Sanford International Airport grappled this morning
with the fact that it had become an unofficial shelter for up to 3,000
stranded travelers who opted to weather the storm in the terminal.
Airport officials declined food and water from the Salvation Army and
Red Cross shortly before Charley hit, then found themselves facing
dwindling supplies and hungry refugees after the storm had cut off any
potential for help.

At Orlando Executive Airport, up to one-third of the planes were flipped
upside down, said Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty. That airport
primarily services private aircraft, business executives and civil
aviation.


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