Ruth Haines
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of upgrades and renovations to meet the demands of its growing number of passengers. The airport is one of the busiest in the United States, serving over 47 million passengers annually. To accommodate this influx, the airport has embarked on expansion projects, including the construction of a new south terminal complex with additional gates and improved connectivity. Other enhancements include the addition of moving walkways, entertainment options, parking spots, and an upcoming focus on refurbishing Terminals A and B. These developments are part of a broader investment strategy to enhance the airport's capacity and overall experience for travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Orlando International Airport |
| Airport code | MCO |
| Location | 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida |
| Number of passengers in 2024 | 57,211,628 |
| Ranking in the US | 9th busiest airport |
| Ranking in Florida | Busiest airport |
| Number of airlines | Over 40 |
| Number of daily flights | Over 1,000 |
| Construction | Ongoing |
| Construction cost | $1.8 billion |
| Construction focus | Terminals A, B, and C |
| Additional focus | Intermodal Terminal Facility |
| Number of gates | 20 |
| Expected capacity | 100 million passengers annually |
| Number of parking spots added in 2023 | 2,000 |
| Number of gates to be added by the end of 2025 | 16-24 |
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What You'll Learn
- Terminal C opened in 2022, with 20 gates and a pedestrian bridge to the Intermodal Terminal
- Terminal C is set to add 19 gates by the end of 2025, with a Phase II expansion plan for 16-24 more
- Terminals A and B will undergo refurbishments, including new rental car counters, seating, signage and lighting
- Orlando International Airport is adding 2,000 parking spots through new and expanded lots
- The airport is also adding moving walkways and a $13.5 million parking guidance system
Terminal C opened in 2022, with 20 gates and a pedestrian bridge to the Intermodal Terminal
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of changes and upgrades to meet growing demand. Terminal C, which opened on September 19, 2022, is part of these expansion plans.
The $1.8 billion Terminal C is the largest expansion project in the airport's history. It was built with an initial 15 gates and covers 1.8 million square feet. Within the first year of its opening, it hosted around 6.4 million passengers on 48,300 flights. Currently, there are projects underway to add eight more gates to Terminal C, bringing the total number of gates to 20. This will expand the terminal's capacity for an additional 3-5 million passengers.
Terminal C is connected to the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal, which provides a connection to Terminals A and B through the Terminal Link people mover. The Intermodal Terminal was built to accommodate an extension of the SunRail commuter rail service.
In addition to the new gates, Terminal C will also feature a pedestrian bridge linking the terminal building to the neighbouring intermodal station, which houses Brightline and Parking Garage C. This will improve connectivity and convenience for passengers.
The upgrades at Orlando International Airport also include improvements to Terminals A and B, such as restroom renovations, baggage claim and rental car areas, and the addition of new restaurants and concession spaces. These changes aim to enhance the overall airport experience for travellers.
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Terminal C is set to add 19 gates by the end of 2025, with a Phase II expansion plan for 16-24 more
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of changes to meet growing demand. Terminal C, which opened in 2022 with 15 to 20 gates, is set to add 19 gates by the end of 2025. This will expand the airport's capacity by 3 to 5 million passengers.
In addition to the new gates, Terminal C will also feature a pedestrian bridge connecting it to the neighbouring intermodal station, which houses Brightline and Parking Garage C.
Long-term planning includes a Phase II expansion with 16 to 24 more gates at Terminal C. This is part of a master plan that includes the addition of Terminal D, which will be located on the other side of the train station, mirroring Terminal C. The final estimated capacity of the airport is set at 100 million passengers annually when completed.
Other upgrades at Orlando International Airport include the addition of moving walkways, a new $13.5 million parking guidance system, and interior upgrades to Terminals A and B. These interior upgrades will include improvements to the baggage claim and rental car areas, as well as the construction of new rental car counters, seating, signage, and lighting. The airport is also exploring pre-security entertainment options, such as food experiences, augmented reality, and virtual reality gaming.
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Terminals A and B will undergo refurbishments, including new rental car counters, seating, signage and lighting
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of changes to meet growing demand. The airport is one of the busiest in the nation, serving 57,211,628 passengers in 2024. As such, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has planned more than $235 million in interior upgrades to Terminals A and B.
The refurbishments will include new rental car counters, seating, signage, and lighting. The landside (pre-security) internal areas will be refreshed, including the baggage claim and rental car areas. The airside areas (beyond security checkpoints) will also be upgraded, with bathroom renovations already underway. The airport will also start the first phase of concession changes in Terminals A and B, which will include spaces for several local and national restaurant brands.
The extensive work will take place in phases, with construction on some projects beginning in 2025. Work is expected to be completed by 2028. The upgrades will increase the airport's capacity and improve the overall experience for passengers.
In addition to the terminal upgrades, the airport has also recently opened 2,000 new parking spots, addressing a common complaint among Central Floridians.
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Orlando International Airport is adding 2,000 parking spots through new and expanded lots
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of terminal upgrades to meet the demands of its growing number of passengers. One of the busiest airports in the nation, it served 57,211,628 passengers in 2024, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States.
To address parking woes, the airport added 2,000 parking spots by the end of 2023. This was achieved through the construction of new lots, Lot 2 and Lot 3, and the expansion of existing ones. These new lots, which opened in time for the Christmas holiday season, added 515 spots to the airport. They are located directly in front of the train station and are accessible only to E-Pass and SunPass customers.
The airport now has nearly 22,000 parking spots property-wide, with parking options including Garages A, B, and C, surface lots near Terminal C, and the North Park Place and South Park Place economy lots. The West Park Place Economy Lot is open seasonally. The airport also offers off-site parking, with rates starting as low as $5.95 per day.
In addition to the new parking lots, the airport is also working on other projects to improve the parking experience. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board approved plans for a $10 million project to install Parking Guidance System technology in their parking structures. This technology, similar to that found at Central Florida attractions like Disney Springs, will display current spot openings and use green and red lights to indicate open and occupied spots.
Other upgrades at the airport include the construction of a new south terminal, which is part of a larger investment that includes the Intermodal Terminal Facility. The first phase of the South Terminal Complex, Terminal C, opened on September 19, 2022, with 15 gates. Work is currently underway to add eight more gates and build a pedestrian bridge linking the terminal to the neighbouring intermodal station. The South Terminal Complex will eventually have 120 gates in both Terminals C and D when fully complete.
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The airport is also adding moving walkways and a $13.5 million parking guidance system
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of upgrades to meet the demands of its nearly 50 million annual passengers. The airport is adding moving walkways as part of its terminal upgrades.
In addition, the airport is investing in a $13.5 million parking guidance system, which will signal open spaces in all four of the airport's garages. This is in response to the long-standing complaints about parking availability at the airport. In October 2023, the airport opened an additional 2,000 parking spots, either through the construction of new lots or the expansion of existing ones.
The airport is also undergoing a range of other improvements, including upgrades to Terminals A, B, and C, with a focus on maximising the use of space in these terminals. Terminal C, which opened in 2022, is also adding eight more gates and building a pedestrian bridge to the neighbouring intermodal station.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has planned more than $235 million in interior upgrades to Terminals A and B, including restroom renovations, seating, signage, gate counters, and lighting improvements. These upgrades are expected to be completed by 2027 or 2028.
The airport is also exploring pre-security entertainment options, such as food experiences, augmented reality, and virtual reality gaming experiences for passengers waiting for their flights.
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Frequently asked questions
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has planned construction and upgrades to meet growing demand. This includes the addition of new gates, moving walkways, and a new parking guidance system.
The South Terminal Complex is a part of the larger investment at Orlando International Airport. The first phase of the new terminal, Terminal C, opened in 2022, with 20 gates. The final estimated capacity of the airport is set at 100 million passengers annually when completed.
The South Terminal Complex is designed to support growing passenger volume and reinforce the airport's reputation for excellence in traveller satisfaction. It will also have a positive economic impact on the region.
The current focus is on keeping up with demand and growing ahead of the growth. Thibault, from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, has stated that they are focused on creating an "Orlando Experience".
Phase II expansions include an additional 16 to 24 gates built at Terminal C. There are also plans to add an additional terminal, Terminal D, to the South Terminal Complex.
