Lois Larson
Orlando International Airport has been an important aviation hub in Florida for many decades. The airport's history can be traced back to the 1920s when the first airport in Orlando, known as Orlando Municipal Airport, opened its doors in 1928. This airport, nestled in an orange grove, would later be renamed Orlando Executive Airport. The current Orlando International Airport was once the site of the McCoy Air Force Base, which was turned over to the city of Orlando in the 1970s, leading to the establishment of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the airport's international status in 1976.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Orlando's 1st airport opened | 1928 |
| Former name of Orlando's 1st airport | Orlando Municipal Airport |
| Year Orlando International Airport opened | 1976 |
| Year Orlando International Airport gained international status | 1976 |
| Year Orlando International Airport was ranked 25th in passenger traffic in the U.S. | 1981 |
| Year Orlando International Airport was rated the favourite airport of American travellers | 2006 |
| Year Orlando International Airport was rated #1 Airport in North America for overall passenger satisfaction | 1996 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Orlando's first airport, Orlando Municipal Airport, opened in 1928
- The airport was renamed Orlando Executive Airport in 1982
- Orlando International Airport was established in 1976
- The airport was previously McCoy Air Force Base, owned by the US Air Force
- Orlando International Airport is now the airport for commercial airline flights
Orlando's first airport, Orlando Municipal Airport, opened in 1928
Orlando's aviation history dates back to 1928, when the city's first airport, Orlando Municipal Airport, opened to great fanfare. The airport, nestled in Dr. Phillips' old orange grove, was a significant milestone in the city's history and a testament to the growing enthusiasm for aviation in the region.
On its opening day in October 1928, Orlando Municipal Airport welcomed approximately 25,000 visitors, with an additional 15,000 guests on the following day. The airport initially featured one hangar and two half-mile runways. The city engineer, Morton Macartney, acknowledged the "desirability and necessity" of a municipal airport, and the site north of Lake Underhill was deemed ideal.
The airport played a crucial role in putting Orlando on the map, with the United States Postal Service initiating airmail service to the city the following year. In 1940, the airport was renamed the Orlando Army Air Base when the United States Army Air Corps took control of it for military training purposes. During World War II, the airport was utilised by the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command to conduct antisubmarine patrols along the East Coast and over the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Straits.
Following the war, in 1946, the airfield reverted to the City of Orlando's control, while the military retained the northern and northeastern sections for administrative and technical training. The airport continued to evolve, and in 1968, the installation was transferred to the United States Navy, serving as a training centre for enlisted recruits and housing various technical training schools.
Today, the former Orlando Municipal Airport is known as the Orlando Executive Airport, located three miles east of downtown Orlando in Orange County, Florida. While it is now considered a "'minor' airport" compared to the larger Orlando International Airport, it remains an important hub for private aviation and has hosted notable events such as the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention on multiple occasions.
Traveling with Milk: Airport Edition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport was renamed Orlando Executive Airport in 1982
Orlando's first airport, Orlando Municipal Airport, was opened in October 1928. The airport was built on Dr. Phillips' former orange grove, and its opening was celebrated by thousands of Orlando residents.
Orlando Executive Airport covers 967 acres (391 ha) at an elevation of 113 feet (34 m). The airport has two asphalt runways: 7/25, which is 6,004 by 150 feet (1,830 x 46 m), and 13/31, which is 4,625 by 100 feet (1,410 x 30 m). The airport is served by two fixed-base operators, Atlantic Aviation and Sheltair Air Services, and it serves private and corporate aircraft.
Orlando Executive Airport has been used for various special aviation events and showcases, including the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention, which was held there in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2022. The airport has also been used as a landing and staging site by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) during presidential visits to Orlando since the 1990s.
Best Buy Kiosks: Airports with Tech Convenience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Orlando International Airport was established in 1976
Orlando International Airport has gone through several transformations over the years, but it officially gained its current name and international status in 1976.
The history of the airport dates back to the late 1920s when, in October 1928, thousands of Orlando residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the city's first airport, the Orlando Municipal Airport. This airport, nestled in Dr. Phillips' old orange grove, featured one hangar and two half-mile runways. Over time, it evolved and expanded, serving various purposes, including as a training facility for the United States Army Air Corps in the early 1940s and later as a civil-military facility in the early 1960s.
In the early 1970s, McCoy Air Force Base (AFB) was identified for closure, and by late 1974 to mid-1975, most of the facility was turned over to the city of Orlando. This marked a significant transition, as commercial chartered flights soon commenced from the site, giving rise to what we now know as Orlando International Airport. The airport's establishment in 1976 was a pivotal moment, as it not only received international recognition but also retained its old IATA airport code, MCO, and ICAO airport code, KMCO.
The years following the airport's establishment witnessed significant growth and development. In 1978, construction commenced on a new terminal complex, and by 1981, the $300 million MCO Terminal Complex was completed, accommodating 6 million passengers and 13 signatory airlines. The airport's expansion continued, and by 1986, it had become the second busiest airport in Florida, handling 12 million passengers. Orlando International Airport continued to thrive, attracting more passengers and airlines, solidifying its position as a major aviation hub in Florida.
Melbourne's Airport System: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport was previously McCoy Air Force Base, owned by the US Air Force
Orlando International Airport has a long history, with the city's first airport opening in 1928. Orlando Municipal Airport, now known as Orlando Executive Airport, was the city's first commercial airport. It was opened in an old orange grove by Dr. Phillips, with one hangar and two half-mile runways.
> In Orlando, enthusiasm in flying has been spasmodic until about a year ago.
This quote from city engineer Morton Macartney, featured in the Sentinel on dedication day, highlights the excitement and novelty of aviation in Orlando at the time.
In the early 1960s, jet airline flights came to Orlando, and the installation became a joint civil-military facility. The city needed longer and sturdier runways than those at Herndon Airport (now Orlando Executive Airport). As a result, an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force in 1962 to use McCoy Air Force Base (AFB) jointly. The military offered a large hangar and its associated flight line ramp area for conversion into a civil air terminal, and the new civil facility was known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy.
McCoy AFB was identified for closure in 1973 as part of a post-Vietnam reduction in force, and the final Air Force contingent departed in 1974 and 1975. The land was then purchased by the city of Orlando, and commercial chartered flights soon began. The Orlando Jetport at McCoy was renamed Orlando International Airport in 1976 and received international status.
Airports Transformed: The Post-9/11 Security Evolution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Orlando International Airport is now the airport for commercial airline flights
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has come a long way since its early days as an airfield in the 1920s. The airport has grown and evolved over the years, and is now the primary airport for commercial airline flights in Orlando, Florida.
The history of Orlando International Airport can be traced back to 1928 when the city's first airport, Orlando Municipal Airport, opened in an old orange grove. This airport, now known as the Orlando Executive Airport, was a popular choice for general aviation and corporate aviation. However, with the arrival of jet airline flights in the early 1960s, it became apparent that a larger and more modern facility was needed.
In 1962, an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force to use the McCoy Air Force Base as a joint civil-military airport. This agreement paved the way for the development of what would become Orlando International Airport. Airline flights to the new airport began soon after, and over the next few years, airline flights shifted from the old Herndon Airport (renamed Orlando Executive Airport in 1982).
The airport gained international status and was officially renamed Orlando International Airport in 1976. This change reflected its growing importance as a travel hub, with the opening of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in 1971 contributing significantly to the increase in air travel to Orlando. The construction of a new terminal complex, which opened in 1981, further solidified its position as a major airport, with the facility designed to handle up to 12 million passengers annually.
Today, Orlando International Airport continues to thrive and expand. It has received numerous awards and accolades, including being rated the favourite airport of American travellers by TripAdvisor.com in 2006. With a wide range of amenities and exceptional choices for passengers, the airport has become a preferred gateway to Central Florida for travellers from around the world.
Accessing Airport Files: A Guide for PC Users
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Orlando International Airport gained its current name and international airport status in 1976. However, the site has a long history. The land was previously known as McCoy Air Force Base and owned by the US Air Force. In 1962, an agreement was reached between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force to convert a part of the base into a civil air terminal, which became known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy.
An agreement was signed between the city and the USAF in October 1961, and airline flights to the Orlando Jetport began shortly after.
The Orlando Executive Airport was originally known as the Orlando Municipal Airport when it opened in October 1928.
