Owais Crawford
Orlando International Airport has been undergoing a series of upgrades and expansions to accommodate the growing number of passengers and improve their experience. The airport, which is a major gateway to Central Florida and its world-renowned theme parks, has seen a steady increase in passenger traffic over the years. While some enhancements, such as the addition of eight gates to Terminal C and a pedestrian bridge at Terminal C, are nearing completion, other projects are in the planning stages or have tentative timelines. Construction on a larger scale, including new rental car counters, seating, and signage, is expected to commence in 2026 and conclude by 2028.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction start date | 2026 |
| Expected completion date | 2028 |
| Construction location | Landside part of the airport |
| Changes | New rental car counters, seating, signage, lighting improvements, new parking guidance system, and spaces for new restaurants |
| Orlando International Airport's Terminal C status | Almost finished |
| Orlando International Airport's Terminal C features | Time- and energy-saving pedestrian bridge with rental car counters, moving walkways |
| Orlando International Airport's Terminal C gates | 20 |
| Orlando International Airport's future plans | Addition of Terminal D to the South Terminal Complex |
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What You'll Learn
Terminal C's new features
Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO) is undergoing a series of new developments to enhance the experience of its over 50 million annual passengers. Terminal C, completed in 2022, is the largest expansion in the history of Orlando International Airport. Here are some of the new features:
Design and Architecture
The terminal's design captures the elements of water, foliage, and sky, with expansive glass skylights, terrazzo artist interpretations of natural springs, and incredibly life-like artificial palm and bald cypress trees. The terminal is an architectural ode to the region, depicting the very things that attract tourists to central Florida.
Enclosed Pedestrian Bridge
A new enclosed pedestrian bridge with rental car counters is being constructed to connect the Brightline train station and People Mover Trams in the intermodal facility to the inside of Terminal C. This will be a significant improvement for passengers who previously had to walk from the train stations to the terminal through the open-air Terminal C garage, dragging their luggage over rubber expansion joints that are not suitcase-wheel-friendly. The bridge is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Moving Walkways
In addition to the pedestrian bridge, several moving walkways will be installed throughout Terminal C, making it easier for passengers to navigate the vast terminal.
Ground Transportation
Terminal C offers various ground transportation options, including buses, ride-shares, shuttles, taxis, and trains, connecting Orlando and beyond. The addition of the new train station, which connects to the Brightline, was welcomed by passengers as it provides a direct train connection to the airport for the first time.
Dining and Concessions
The airport is also expected to introduce new restaurants, including some local favorites, as part of its concession updates. These updates will enhance the dining options currently available at the food court in the center of the terminal.
Parking Guidance System
A new parking guidance system will be implemented in 2027 to help travellers find open parking spaces in the airport's garages. Digital boards will display the number of available spots, and red and green lights above each spot will indicate whether it is empty or occupied.
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Construction start and end dates
Construction at Orlando International Airport has been ongoing for several years, with the airport undergoing a series of upgrades and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. Here is a breakdown of the construction start and end dates for some of the key projects:
Terminal C:
- Construction Start Date: 2017
- Construction End Date: September 19, 2022 (with ongoing additions)
Terminal C, part of the South Terminal Complex, began construction in 2017 and was completed in 2022. However, there have been ongoing additions and upgrades to the terminal since its opening. In 2024, construction began on adding eight additional gates to Terminal C, with an expected completion date within the next two years. This includes the addition of narrow-body gates to increase capacity and accommodate more airlines. As of 2025, these gates are on track to be completed by the winter of that year.
Pedestrian Bridge:
- Construction Start Date: Unknown
- Construction End Date: Expected 2025
The pedestrian bridge at Terminal C, connecting the terminal to the Brightline train station and People Mover Trams, was initially planned to be completed in Phase I of Terminal C's construction. However, due to budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed. As of 2025, the bridge is almost finished, with an expected completion date by the end of the year.
Parking Guidance System:
- Construction Start Date: Mid-2025
- Construction End Date: 2027
The airport has also announced plans for a Parking Guidance System, similar to the system used at Disney Springs, which will assist drivers in finding open parking spaces within the airport's garages. Construction on this project is expected to begin in mid-2025 and be completed by 2027.
Orlando International Airport has a history of continuous development, with various projects in the planning stages or already underway to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the region. The airport authorities aim to enhance the airport's capacity, functionality, and passenger experience through these construction projects.
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The airport's expansion plan
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is undergoing a series of expansion projects to accommodate the rapid population growth in Florida and the subsequent increase in passenger traffic. In 2023, the airport was the seventh-busiest in the United States in terms of passenger enplanements, handling over 57 million passengers. As the primary gateway to Central Florida and its world-renowned theme parks, MCO is poised to become even busier.
Aesthetic improvements are also a key focus, with plans to combine Airsides 1 and 3, add APM stations, implement ramp-level bag screening, and construct a new bag sortation facility. There are also concepts to add a third wing to Airside 2, enhancing the overall passenger experience. Terminal C, which opened in 2022, boasts a massive customs and immigration facility, efficient processing times, and retail spaces for Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. The completion of Phase I of Terminal C, including a pedestrian bridge to the train station, will further improve connectivity.
MCO is also committed to innovation, with efforts to increase cargo operations and prepare for vertiports. As one of the largest airports in the US by landmass, MCO has the capacity for expansion and provides easy access to cargo areas from interstates and highways. The airport continuously seeks creative ways to generate revenue and address future air travel demands.
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The airport's history
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary international airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida. It is one of the largest commercial airports in the United States in terms of land area, spanning 11,605 acres. The airport's history can be traced back to the 1940s when it was originally constructed as a U.S. Army Air Forces facility. The airfield, known as Orlando Army Air Field #2, began military operations in 1942 as an auxiliary airfield to the Orlando Army Air Base, now known as the Orlando Executive Airport.
In 1943, the airfield was renamed the Pinecastle Army Airfield, and it played a role in the development of aviation technology, conducting unpowered glide tests of the Bell X-1 aircraft before the world's first supersonic flight at Muroc Army Airfield in California. With the establishment of an independent U.S. Air Force in 1947, the airfield's status changed, and it was briefly placed in caretaker status until it was reactivated during the Korean War as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation.
As Orlando grew and jet airline flights became more common in the early 1960s, the existing Orlando Municipal Airport faced challenges in accommodating larger aircraft and increasing passenger numbers. This led to an agreement between the City of Orlando and the United States Air Force in 1962 to utilise the McCoy Air Force Base (MCO) under a joint civil-military arrangement. The military offered a large hangar and its associated area for conversion into a civil air terminal, which became known as the Orlando Jetport at McCoy. This joint arrangement set a precedent for other civil-military airports.
In 1971, the opening of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World significantly increased air traffic to Orlando, leading to the expansion of airlines serving the region. McCoy AFB was identified for closure in 1973 as part of post-Vietnam reductions, and it was turned over to the City of Orlando in 1974 and 1975. The facility was renamed Orlando International Airport, and improvements were made to the terminal, including remodelling, the addition of a modern canopy, and the expansion of the concourse.
In the late 1970s, with the rapid growth of air traffic and carriers, plans for Curvilinear Terminals were replaced by a Landside/Airside Terminal complex design to reduce congestion and minimise walking distances for passengers. Construction of the second passenger terminal began in 1978 and was completed in 1981. Orlando International Airport continued to thrive, becoming the fastest-growing airport in the nation.
In recent years, Orlando International Airport has undergone various improvements and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. In 2022, the $2.8 billion Terminal C was completed, and ongoing construction projects include improvements to parking, signage, lighting, and the addition of new restaurants. The airport remains a major gateway for the Florida region, serving over 57 million passengers in 2024 and offering daily flights on more than 40 airlines to over 170 destinations worldwide.
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The airport's parking issues
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a busy airport, with up to 50 million passengers travelling through each year. This makes parking at the airport notoriously difficult. The airport has six main on-site parking lots, with additional parking available at the Hyatt Hotel, although this is primarily reserved for hotel guests. During busy travel periods, such as the holidays, parking lots can quickly reach capacity, causing travellers to struggle to find a parking space.
Parking at Orlando Airport can be expensive due to high demand. Off-site parking lots at nearby airport hotels offer cheaper rates, but travellers must then use a shuttle service to get to the airport. In addition, these off-site lots often provide extra services, such as car washes and oil changes, which can be done while the car is parked.
To find a parking space at the airport itself, travellers may need to drive around the on-site parking lots for some time. Even if a space is found, it is likely to be costly. It is recommended that travellers research parking options in advance and are aware of the standard information and guidelines for parking at the airport.
In 2025, construction is due to begin on a new parking guidance system at the airport. This system, due to be completed in 2027, will signal open spaces in the airport's garages, using digital boards and traffic lights above individual parking spots. This should make it easier for travellers to find a parking space.
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Frequently asked questions
Orlando International Airport is undergoing a series of upgrades and expansions. While there is no set date for the completion of all projects, some have timelines. For example, the construction of the $2.8 billion Terminal C was completed in 2022, and the new parking guidance system is set to debut in 2027. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) hopes to have the pedestrian bridge at Terminal C completed by the end of 2025.
The airport is undergoing a range of upgrades, including new rental car counters, seating, signage, and lighting improvements. There will also be new restaurants and a new parking guidance system. The airport is also working to increase the number of RON (remain overnight) aircraft parking spaces and add eight additional gates to Terminal C.
The airport is experiencing a high volume of RON (remain overnight) aircraft and is seeking to increase parking spaces. Additionally, with Orlando and Central Florida attracting millions of visitors each year, the airport needs to maximize the use of space in its terminals and accommodate the growing demand.
