A tongue-in-cheek social media post by a Florida airport has sparked panic it could be about to close.

Tampa International Airport took to X to announce that it would be 'cancelling' all its flights 'forever'.

The post came following criticism from customers about the lack of destinations offered by the airport.

'We've heard enough. We've had enough,' the post began. ''"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.

'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.'

The giant bird is a huge, 21-foot sculpture named Phoebe the Flamingo who looms over passengers in the main terminal.

'While this may seem sudden, our decision is final,' the post continued. '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.' 

The post adds that you 'never realize what you have until it's gone' and stated: 'Forevermore we'll be known just as Giant Flamingo Home'.

 The PR stunt quickly attracted attention online where many speculated it could be an April Fool's prank.

However, a number of people were left genuinely concerned and confused over the fate of the airport.

'Is this real? This feels like the most petty post I've ever read,' one person wrote on X.

'I'm confused, I fly to Tampa every year from Pittsburgh when headed to Clearwater. Is it closed?' Another asked.

'I don't know what's going on, but my wife just lectured me about flamingos, Lakeland, and a closing airport in Tampa,' a third person wrote.

'Does this have something to do with TDA privatization?' another speculated. 

Tampa International Airport advertises itself as the 'premier gateway to the West Coast of Florida'.

It serves around 25 million passengers each year, according to its website.

Among its self-proclaimed attributes are, 'Short walking distances to gates, quick security wait times, friendly staff, modern shops and restaurants and convenient parking options'.

It ranked second for large airports for passenger satisfaction according to the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

If the airport were to close, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), located approximately 14.6 miles away, would be travelers next closest option for international flights. 

Tampa Airport has since clarified that the post was made entirely in jest.

'The airport did not close and is not closing— the goal of the post was to creatively highlight our 100 nonstop destinations and showcase our beloved public art program, with the large flamingo (nicknamed “Phoebe” by the community) being one of its most iconic pieces,' a spokeswoman said.

'While a small handful of accounts may have misunderstood the humor, the vast majority embraced it in the spirit it was intended.'