Tampa International Airport to reopen Friday, days after suspending operations due to Ian

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa International Airport will reopen Friday, three days after shutting down due to Hurricane Ian as it approached the west coast of Florida.

Airport officials announced that TPA will resume commercial operations at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30.

The announcement comes after maintenance and operations staff inspected the airfield and facilities Thursday morning and determined the airport did not sustain any serious damage from the storm.

"Friday’s 10 a.m. reopening for departing and arriving flights will give the Airport and its partners such as the FAA, the TSA, airlines, and others time to take necessary steps for the safe resumption of business. Among them, bringing back aircraft that had to be removed ahead of the hurricane, as well as required staff," officials said.

RELATED: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to reopen Friday

Parking facilities, the rental car center, and TSA security checkpoints will be open Friday morning for departing passengers who arrive early for their flights. However, with high passenger volumes expected, the airport urged travelers to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departures.

"We feel very lucky to have come out on the other side of this largely unscathed and are eager to restart operations after such a fraught and anxious week," Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano said in a statement. "We can now continue serving as an important resource for our travelers and community, and begin helping our fellow Floridians in their time of need."

Airport officials had said the impact of shutting down operations was in the "millions."

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport announced it would also reopen Friday.