JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —
UPDATE 7:30 P.M.:
The Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Center has reopened and flights are free to operate through Jacksonville again.
As of 6:00 p.m. there were still several flights delayed and cancelled, check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on any flight status.
The FAA JAX Center in Hilliard has reopened and air traffic is free to operate through JAX. Check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on your flight status.
— JAXairport (@JAXairport) January 5, 2021
ORIGINAL STORY:
Due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19, the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Hilliard, FL is closed from 4:20 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a cleaning.
According to the Jacksonville International Airport, this may cause extensive delays/cancellations as this FAA Air Traffic Control Center monitors flights arriving and departing JIA.
According to JIA, “Aircrafts will be routed around the airspace, or handled by underlying facilities while cleaning takes place.”
The FAA JAX Center in Hilliard is temporarily closing this afternoon into the evening which may cause extensive delays and/or cancellations. Travelers should check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information about their flight.
— JAXairport (@JAXairport) January 4, 2021
Statement from the FAA regarding COVID-19 cleaning procedures:
The FAA has a robust contingency plan for every air traffic control facility, and remains positioned to quickly address the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The agency continually monitors controller staffing and traffic demand, and remains in close contact with airports, airlines and other stakeholders so we can prioritize our resources to meet the greatest demand.
Cox Media Group