VPS Update: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport Reopens; Schedules Still Disrupted

FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida, October 11, 2026 — Update to our October 10 story. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) reopened on Saturday evening, October 10, about two days after it closed for Hurricane Isaias. Flight schedules are still disrupted.

What changed since Saturday

Open again: the airport announced on Saturday that it had reopened “effective immediately,” Get The Coast and WCTV report. On Saturday morning our report had it still closed with no reopening time.
How long it was shut: VPS closed to all operations at 9 p.m. Thursday, October 8.
Schedules changed: the airport says flight schedules have been affected by the storm. It has not published a list of cancelled or retimed flights.
Systems still coming back: the airport said its team is still restoring critical systems. It has not said which ones.
Damage report: none published.
Date for a full schedule: TBA.

Airline waivers

American’s Isaias waiver covers VPS for travel scheduled October 9–11, with rebooked travel allowed October 7–14. Changes must be booked by October 11.

What it means for travelers

Outbound flights will be tight. Visitors who could not leave on Thursday night, Friday or Saturday are being rebooked first. Seats out of VPS will be scarce until that backlog clears.
Confirm each flight is operating before you drive to the airport.
Expect slower processing. With some airport systems still being restored, allow extra time for check-in and security.
Alternates: Pensacola (PNS) reopened on Sunday, and Panama City (ECP) was already back in service. Check availability at all three before choosing.
Carry on if you can. Irregular schedules raise the chance of a bag missing a rebooked flight.