It’s not every day that an international airport announces its own closure. But that’s exactly what happened when Tampa International Airport (TPA) took to social media, declaring it was shutting down for good. The reason? Apparently, the airport had finally had enough of people complaining about flight routes. Instead of serving passengers, it was now dedicating itself to a single, very special resident: Phoebe, the giant flamingo.
Tampa International Airport “Closes” For A Giant Flamingo
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On March 28, 2025, TPA’s official Instagram account shared a dramatic announcement that the airport was closing. But what caught everyone’s attention was the reason behind it. The post read: “We’ve heard enough. We’ve had enough. “You’re not a real airport you don’t have flights to my hometown of 13 people!” Well guess what? We’re not an airport at ALL anymore.
Effective immediately, we’re no longer Tampa International Airport. Instead, we’re giving you exactly what you deserve. We’re now just a home for a giant 2-year-old flamingo.
While this may seem sudden, our decision is final. We cannot stand by and be called “not a real airport” when we offer flights to 100 destinations around the world. So, we’re cancelling all of them. Forever.
You never realise what you have until it’s gone. Forevermore, we’ll be known just as Giant Flamingo Home.
Hope it was worth it.
GIANT FLAMINGO HOME FOREVER.”
Is The Airport Actually Closing?
The post went viral almost instantly, sparking wild reactions across social media. People had a tough time taking it seriously, with some even wondering if it was an early April Fool’s joke. One user jokingly said, “I want to date the marketing team!” while another joked, “Phoebe blink twice if you need help!!!”. One particularly funny comment read, “I’m on a Jet Blue flight that is due to land at TPA in 30 minutes; should I tell the pilot to take a U-turn?” “Whoever runs this account for TPA needs a raise,” said one fan.
As the post continued to make waves, people not only engaged in the comment section but also questioned whether this could truly be the case. Was the beloved Tampa International Airport really going to close down? According to the airport’s official channels, TPA was absolutely not closing. Instead, the post was one of the many engaging posts on TPA’s social media account. It not only grabbed attention but also highlighted some of the airport’s key features, like its 100 nonstop destinations and its public art program.
So, while TPA isn’t closing its doors anytime soon, this viral post gave us all a good laugh and reminded us that humour is a big part of the airport’s charm.
Cover Image Courtesy: Tampa International Airport/Instagram
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