ORLANDO, Fla. – After a full year as a pilot program, the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program at Orlando International Airport, which allows guests to explore, shop, and dine post-security at Terminal C, without a boarding pass, has now become a permanent addition to the airport. This means that residents and guests of the Orlando area can now count on the unique dining, retail and digital media experiences of Terminal C to be available to non-travelers for the foreseeable future, provided they are approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and adhere to the rules and regulations of the program. Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program (youtube.com)

During the year-long pilot program, over 6,000 reservations to visit Terminal C were made. Most survey respondents cited “to explore Terminal C” as the primary purpose of their visit, with “to shop or dine” coming in second. Other users of the program used Experience MCO to meet or wave farewell to a loved one. The program is also popular with the planespotting community.

“Experience MCO gives our guests the opportunity to enjoy Terminal C on their own time,” said Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) CEO Kevin J. Thibault. “Thanks to the cooperation with our TSA partners, the program is a success. We look forward to more reservations in the future whether it’s to explore the interactive Moment Vault or dine at one of the popular restaurant concepts.”

Applying for the Experience MCO Visitor Pass:

ORLANDO, Fla. – Labor Day weekend traditionally represents the summer’s last chance to get away, and once again that travel philosophy will make Orlando International Airport (MCO) a bustling place.

Passenger traffic over the six-day travel period, from August 29 through September 3, 2024, is expected to increase by 1.4% over the same period in 2023. In total, nearly 900,000 travelers will pass through MCO, with Monday, September 2, anticipated as the busiest day with a combined 164,231 passengers.

"We're excited for the opportunity to once again demonstrate Connection, one of the priorities in our Strategic Plan,” said Kevin J. Thibault, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. "During this busy season, travelers will benefit from our air service to more than 160 destinations, bringing connectivity across the U.S. and to the world.”

ORLANDO, Fla. — Financial issues were the focal point of today’s Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board meeting. The Board was presented with preliminary 2024‐2025 Fiscal Year budgets of $941,278,000 for Orlando International Airport (MCO) and $10,692,381 for Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). In the Aviation Authority’s continuing effort to align the budget with the goals of the Strategic Plan, along with providing an exceptional travel experience for airport customers, the proposed budget for MCO includes a 10.3% increase in Operating and Maintenance (O&M) expenses over the prior year budget. Significant drivers of this increase include:

• Additional staffing
• New innovation projects
• Ground transportation services
• Maintenance costs

MCO’s proposed revenue for FY2025 represents an increase of approximately $109.7 million, as compared to the budget for FY2024. The factors responsible include increases in:

• Landing Fees
• Terminal Premises Rentals
• Concessions
• Commercial rental rates
• Hotel occupancy, average room rate, and ancillary services
• Parking and Ground Transportation
• Rental car fees

Orlando Executive Airport’s total revenues for FY 2025 are derived from a variety of sources, including aviation-related fees, commercial properties and contributions from the ORL revenue fund.

The budget process will continue with the Orlando City Council conducting a public hearing within ten days of receipt of this preliminary budget.

BUILDING A RENTAL CAR SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE

The Board also approved a request to increase the Customer Facility Charge (CFC) paid by rental car users. The adjustment will raise the CFC from $6.00 to $9.00 per day, with a maximum collection period of 7 days.

In light of the significant growth in traffic and as part of the evaluation of improved and expanded facilities for rental car operations and enhancements to the rental car customer experience, GOAA is pursuing the design and construction of a consolidated rental car facility (ConRAC). A ConRAC would centralize rental car operations from all terminals into its own dedicated facility. This consolidation would free up significant space in the passenger parking garages currently occupied by the rental car companies. The ConRAC is expected to be funded primarily by CFCs.

The effective date of the increase will be November 1, 2024, in order to give companies time to inform their customers.

Airports Council International North America releases 2023 Traffic Summary

Orlando, Fla. - As part of the global airline system, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has experienced limited impact from the worldwide technology glitch that affected IT systems at several U.S. airlines. Our team is working closely with our airline partners to assist their customers with passenger movement and convenience in the terminal.

We have been informed that the airlines being impacted locally are gradually returning to normal operations. As of Friday morning this is the impact at MCO.

• Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today at MCO: 74
• Total cancellations today at Orlando Intl: 65

ORLANDO, Fla.— The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has always been proactive in giving notice to the public about illegal parking at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and recently worked with the Orlando Police Department (OPD) to enhance enforcement as part of a continuing effort to ensure the safety and security of all travelers.

The emphasis on more vigorous enforcement has had a significant impact. Since June 6, 2024, OPD sworn and OPD Community Service Officers have collaborated on the parking detail at MCO, focusing primarily on areas where parking is prohibited on Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, State Road 528 and the entrance to Terminal C.

• For the month of June, 1,619 vehicles were moved from areas where parking is prohibited.
• For the month of July so far, 420 vehicles were moved.

The public is being forewarned to avoid illegal parking on roadways and garages.

"We understand that parking can be a challenge during peak travel periods, but parking on shoulders is never an acceptable solution," said Kevin J. Thibault, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to ensuring the safety of all airport users and by working in conjunction with the Orlando Police Department, we are making campus roadways safer for everyone.”

According to OPD, most drivers move along when prompted by officers, although some may receive warnings and even citations. The parking detail is an operation outside of the regular Patrol Officer hours.

Illegal roadway parking not only poses a hazard to drivers, but also obstructs traffic flow and causes congestion. Airport officials encourage travelers to plan ahead, allow extra time for parking and use designated free cell phone parking lots when picking up arriving airport passengers.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving more than 57 million annual passengers across its three terminals, A, B and C. Connected to an Intermodal Terminal Facility that offers high-speed passenger rail service, Terminal C is an inventive structure that elevates the customer experience with 100% automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.

Orlando, Fla. – The recent 4th of July holiday travel period was reported by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to be one of the busiest summer periods ever, and the high activity mirrors what Orlando International Airport (MCO) experienced during the same holiday.

Throughout the 9-day travel period, MCO broke its overall 4th of July passenger record with more than 707,000 estimated departures, and while it was not the busiest travel holiday ever for MCO (that distinction lies with Spring Break), 2024 ranked as the busiest 4th of July period in airport history.

In total, MCO saw approximately 1.5 million travelers.

Providing seamless and efficient connectivity through services is part of MCO’s Strategic Priority for Connection. With that in mind, and as the summer continues, passengers are encouraged to take advantage of various airport services to ensure a seamless passenger experience.

Suggested advice in our new “Kickoff to Takeoff” campaign covers several areas, including:

• Reserve Parking
• Early Arrival
• The MCO app
• MCO Reserve