Orlando's Airport Code: Unraveling The Mystery Of Mco

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. Orlando International Airport is the second busiest international hub in the state of Florida, serving as a major gateway to the region with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines servicing 135 domestic and international destinations.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport is the second busiest in the state, with over 35 million annual passengers, and is a major international gateway for the region. It is also one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as a hub for several major airlines and offering daily flights to a wide range of domestic and international destinations.

The airport's IATA code, MCO, originates from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. Despite the name change, the airport has retained its original IATA code.

Orlando International Airport has a long history, dating back to the early 1940s when it was originally built for the U.S. military and known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. The airport was active during World War II and resumed operations during the Korean War. In the 1960s, it became a joint base for both civilian and military flights, and in 1976, it gained its current name and international airport status.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) oversees the management and operations of Orlando International Airport, as well as the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). GOAA is governed by a board that includes the Mayor of Orlando, the Mayor of Orange County, and five other appointees confirmed by the state senate. The airport employs approximately 800 full-time staff and is well-equipped to handle a large volume of passengers and flights, making it a convenient and efficient gateway to the Orlando area.

MCO is the second busiest airport in Florida

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the second busiest airport in Florida as of 2025, with Miami International Airport taking the top spot. MCO is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport's IATA code, MCO, comes from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. However, parts of the facility remained under military control to support the Naval Training Center in Orlando and other tenant commands.

Orlando International Airport was originally built for the U.S. military in the early 1940s and was active during World War II, when it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. After a brief hiatus, the airport resumed operations during the Korean War. In 1958, the airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. In the 1960s, the airport became a joint base for both civilian and military flights.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) oversees Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). GOAA is governed by a board that includes the Mayor of Orlando and the Mayor of Orange County, among other appointees. As of 2024, Orlando International Airport was the ninth busiest airport in the USA. The airport covers 47 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi) and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. It features North America's fourth-tallest control tower, standing at 345 feet.

Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for Florida, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines serving 135 domestic and international destinations. The airport serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, the latter being the busiest carrier at MCO. In 2021, the airport handled 19,618,838 enplanements, a significant increase from the 5 million passengers it served in 1978.

The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. The airport code MCO stands for the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975.

McCoy Air Force Base was a U.S. Air Force installation located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Orlando, Florida. It was active from 1940 to 1947 and 1951 to 1975. During World War II, it served as a training base. From 1951 until its closure, it was a frontline SAC base during the Cold War and Vietnam War. Orlando's largest employer and economic backbone before Walt Disney World opened in 1971, McCoy Air Force Base was named for Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy (1905-1957) on May 7, 1958. Colonel McCoy was a hugely popular figure in Central Florida. He was the commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing, the host wing of Pinecastle AFB, and earned the unofficial distinction of being the "dean" of the SAC's B-47 Stratojet aircraft commanders. Sadly, Colonel McCoy was killed in a B-47 Stratojet crash on October 9, 1957, during a practice demonstration for the annual SAC Bombing Navigation and Reconnaissance Competition.

Following the closure of McCoy Air Force Base in 1975, the site was redeveloped and became known as Orlando International Airport. Notably, the airport retained the original FAA LID airport code of MCO (McCoy) and ICAO airport code of KMCO. Today, Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, offering over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines serving 135 domestic and international destinations. It is the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the seventh busiest in the United States as of 2021.

MCO is overseen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. In 2021, it was the busiest airport in Florida and the seventh busiest airport in the United States. The airport is also a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 850 daily flights on 44 airlines serving 135 domestic and international destinations.

The GOAA is governed by a seven-member board, including the Mayor of Orlando and the Mayor of Orange County, with the remaining five members appointed by the Governor of the State of Florida and confirmed by the state senate. The airports are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, Kevin J. Thibault, appointed by the Authority, who leads a team of approximately 800-1000 full-time employees.

The GOAA has a clear vision for the future and has overseen several developments at the airport, including the 1.8 million-square-foot Terminal C, which is the largest terminal project by size, and the South Terminal Complex (STC), which aims to create an unforgettable travel experience through passenger-centered designs and state-of-the-art facilities.

MCO is a major international gateway for Florida with over 850 daily flights

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a major international gateway for Florida, with over 850 daily flights. Located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida, the airport covers 47 square kilometres and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area. In 2021, it was the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the seventh busiest airport in the United States, with 19,618,838 enplanements. The airport serves as an operating base for several airlines, including Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines, with Southwest being the largest carrier by passengers carried.

The airport's IATA code, MCO, stands for its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation that was closed in 1975 following the end of the Vietnam War. The base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. Orlando International Airport was originally built for the U.S. military in the early 1940s and was active during World War II as Pinecastle Army Airfield. It resumed operations during the Korean War and became a joint base for civilian and military flights in the 1960s.

Orlando became a major tourist destination following the opening of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in 1971, which led to a significant increase in air travel to the region. Shawnee Airlines linked MCO with Walt Disney World during the 1970s, offering connecting flights to a small airfield near the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. The opening of Epcot in 1982 further solidified Orlando's reputation as a popular tourist destination.

Orlando International Airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities to accommodate the growing demand for air travel to Central Florida. The airport offers a range of services and amenities to passengers, including efficient ground and fuel services provided by companies like Menzies Aviation. With its convenient location, efficient operations, and wide range of flight options, Orlando International Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel to and from the state of Florida.

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