Commercial flights to Key West will resume Wednesday

Key West International Airport closed for 12 days because of Hurricane Irma

KEY WEST, Fla. – Key West International Airport will resume commercial service beginning Wednesday.

The airport has been closed to commercial flights for 12 days during Hurricane Irma evacuations and the immediate aftermath.

"I'm very proud of the hard work and dedication that the airport maintenance employees have shown over the course of this trying time," Monroe County Airports Department director Donald DeGraw said. "We are excited to start commercial service and serve our valued customers."

Monroe County spokeswoman Cammy Clark said maintenance crews cleaned and made repairs to the airport after the storm.

The decision to reopen the airport to commercial service comes after the Transportation Security Administration inspected the facility and gave it the green light to resume flights.

Even though the airport will reopen Wednesday, only residents and those assisting with relief efforts are allowed in the Florida Keys.

Commercial flights will be limited for the first few days of service, so travelers are advised to contact their airlines for specific flight information.