SpaceX aims to launch its super heavy-lift rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by the end of the year. That’s bad news for the state’s commercial airports—and you.
SpaceX aims to expand its Starship operations to Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a goal of launching 44 super heavy-lift rockets per year. If regulators approve this plan, the uptick in launch activity could result in more ground stops, reroutes, and flight delays at major airports throughout the Sunshine State, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
In a draft environmental impact statement released this month, the FAA states that airports such as Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International, Orlando International, Tampa International, and Miami International could see average delays of up to two hours for Starship launches and Super Heavy booster landings. Reentries could cause delays of up to one hour. In some cases, travelers may also experience flight diversions or cancellations, according to an accompanying slide deck.A potential surge of airspace hazards
Such issues would stem from temporary airspace closures, called Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs), set up during Starship launch activities. These temporary flight zone restrictions separate aircraft from hazards such as falling debris or the launch vehicles themselves.
