Vice President Mike Pence arrives in SWFL

Published: Updated:
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Vice President Mike Pence landed Thursday at Southwest Florida International Airport, according to the National Business Aviation Administration.

There were “temporary flight restrictions,” that spanned across three nautical miles in Lee County from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots were prohibited from flying during this time.

Pence and his family will be in Fort Myers and Sanibel Island from March 29 to April 6 for a nine-day spring vacation. He was in the area around the same time in spring 2017.

Jeff Weigel, owner of the Sanibel Deli, said he’s looking forward to Pence’s arrival.

“It’s nice to have them and it’s extra business so it’s great that they’re here,” Weigel said.

Weigel said Pence and the his secret service staff frequented his establishment. Business owners are hopeful he will stop into their shops once again.

Julie Lemma, of North Carolina, an admirer of the vice president and said she’s happy he’s visiting in Southwest Florida.

“I’m very excited,” Lemma said. “I’m honored to have him here.”

Residents who said they experienced delays during the vice president’s trip last spring are expecting increased traffic on Sanibel Island.

“It’s not a big deal unless he’s going somewhere,” Weigel said. “That shuts down things for a little while.”

The vice president’s itinerary over the course of his stay is unclear.

WINK News streamed Pence’s arrival on Facebook as he made his way to Sanibel Island:

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