MIA Operating At 50-Percent Capacity After Major Hurricane

Two days after Hurricane Wilma walloped southern Florida with winds of up to 125 miles an hour, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was still closed and Miami International was operating at only 50-percent capacity.

The issue at FLL wasn't so much damage. Even though the storm was fierce, it was a fast-mover, limiting the damage that would have been caused by a longer-lasting hurricane. The problem keeping FLL closed was a lack of water pressure in the airport's sprinkler system.

Late Wednesday, airport officials said water pressure was improving and predicted FLL would reopen on Thursday. Power, knocked out as Wilma sped through on Monday, was restored late Tuesday. While the airport remained closed to commercial traffic Wednesday, GA and relief flights were operating on a limited basis.

The roof at Terminal Three was damaged by the storm, as were some of the walkways connecting the parking deck with the terminal itself. The US Postal Service facility and the UPS facility were also damaged by Wilma's winds.

Meanwhile, At MIA...

Miami International opened Wednesday -- barely. The majority of damage there was felt at the airport's cargo facility. Arrow Cargo's hangar lost its roof. Thirty-nine jetways were damaged. By midday Wednesday, three had been repaired.

The airport's dominant carrier, American, said it was operating about half its normal capacity, with 125 flights on the schedule. While most transatlantic service had been restored, airlines warned passengers to check on their flights before going to the airport.

FMI: www.broward.org/airport, www.miami-airport.com