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Orlando International Airport, or MCO, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. The airport's official code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1975 and transformed into the civilian airport we know today. The base was named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed in a plane crash in 1957. The IATA code has been retained to honour Colonel McCoy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Orlando International Airport |
| IATA code | MCO |
| ICAO code | KMCO |
| FAA LID | MCO |
| Former name | McCoy Air Force Base |
| Named after | Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy |
| Year of renaming | 1976 |
| Current ranking in the USA | Ninth busiest airport |
| Total passengers in 2024 | 57,211,628 |
| Current ranking in Florida | Second busiest international hub |
| Property size | 11,605 acres |
| Number of runways | 4 |
| Location | 6 miles southeast of downtown Orlando, Florida |
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What You'll Learn
MCO is the airport's official code
Orlando International Airport, or MCO, is the second busiest international hub in the state of Florida. The airport's IATA code, MCO, is derived from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base. The base was closed in 1975 as part of a general military drawdown following the end of the Vietnam War. The airport became Orlando International in 1976, but the IATA code remained MCO to continue honouring Colonel McCoy.
McCoy Air Force Base was renamed in 1958 in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. The base was originally Pinecastle Army Airfield, a US military airfield constructed in the early 1940s. During World War II and the Korean War, the airfield provided crucial support and resources.
Orlando International Airport has embraced its MCO designation in its marketing to encourage people to refer to the airport by those letters. However, some people refer to the airport by its initials, OIA, which is the name of an airport in Brazil.
MCO has one central terminal building with four connected concourses, four runways, and a helipad. The airport handled over 57 million passengers in 2024, making it the ninth busiest airport in the United States. It is overseen by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and serves as an operating base for several major airlines, with Southwest Airlines being the busiest carrier.
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The airport was originally a US military base
McCoy Air Force Base was a Strategic Air Command installation that was closed in 1975 following a general military drawdown after the Vietnam War. The base was transformed into a civilian airport, and in 1976, it gained its current name, Orlando International Airport, and international airport status.
The airport code MCO was derived from the former name of the base, McCoy Air Force Base, and has been retained even after the airport was renamed. The IATA code MCO is used in luggage tags and tickets and is recognised as Orlando International Airport.
Orlando International Airport is a major international gateway for the Florida region, with over 1,000 daily flights serving over 170 domestic and international destinations. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 57 million passengers annually. The airport covers 47 square kilometres and is the fifth-largest airport in the United States by land area.
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Renamed in 1958 to McCoy Air Force Base
Orlando International Airport, or MCO, was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958. The airport was originally constructed in the early 1940s as Pinecastle Army Airfield, serving the US military during World War II and 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 1957. Colonel McCoy commanded a fleet of nearly 50 B-47s at Pinecastle Air Force Base. The base later became Orlando International Airport.
The airport code MCO is derived from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1975 and transformed into the civilian airport we know today. The IATA code has been retained to continue honouring Colonel McCoy.
The airport's property comprises 11,605 acres, making it the fourth-largest commercial airport by landmass in the country. It is also the busiest airport in the state of Florida and the ninth busiest airport in the United States, handling over 57 million passengers annually.
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Named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy
Orlando International Airport, with the code MCO, is named after Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a local resident and veteran of the United States Army Air Forces. McCoy played a significant role in the history of aviation in Central Florida and was instrumental in the development of the airport.
McCoy was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1905 and moved to Orlando with his family as a child. He developed a passion for aviation at an early age and learned to fly in the 1920s, becoming a stunt pilot and performing in air shows. McCoy's aviation career took off when he joined the Army Air Corps (the predecessor of the US Air Force) in 1927. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a respected leader, known for his expertise in aviation and his contributions to the development of military aviation.
During World War II, McCoy served in various leadership roles, including commanding officer of several air bases and director of several important aviation projects. He played a key role in the development of advanced aircraft and aviation technologies, contributing to the success of the Allied forces. After the war, McCoy continued his distinguished career in the US Air Force, achieving the rank of Colonel.
In the 1950s, McCoy turned his attention to Central Florida and worked tirelessly to bring an airport to the region. He recognized the potential for aviation in the area and envisioned an airport that would serve as a gateway to Orlando and the surrounding communities. McCoy played a crucial role in securing funding and support for the project, and his efforts culminated in the opening of Orlando International Airport in 1962.
McCoy's contributions to aviation and his advocacy for an airport in the region were recognized, and the airport was named Orlando McCoy Air Force Base, later shortened to McCoy Air Force Base and eventually becoming McCoy International Airport. The name was changed to Orlando International Airport in 1981, but the airport code MCO remains as a tribute to Colonel McCoy and his enduring legacy in Central Florida's aviation history.
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MCO honours Colonel McCoy
Orlando International Airport, or MCO, is a bustling hub of activity, serving over 57 million passengers annually and ranking as the ninth busiest airport in the United States. But beyond its modern-day significance, the airport carries a piece of history in its name—honouring the legacy of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy.
Colonel McCoy was a distinguished pilot who played a pivotal role in the aviation history of Orlando. The airport's IATA code, MCO, is a direct tribute to him and stands as a lasting memorial to his life and service. The story of this dedication dates back to the mid-20th century, when the airport was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield, serving the US military during World War II and the Korean War.
In 1957, a tragic incident occurred that would forever link the name "McCoy" to Orlando's aviation landscape. On October 9, Colonel McCoy perished in a plane crash, steering his B-47 Stratojet into a field to avoid casualties on the ground. His valiant actions prevented loss of life, except for a single cow, and his bravery did not go unnoticed.
In 1958, just a year after the tragic accident, the airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in honour of Colonel McCoy. This renaming decision served as a heartfelt recognition of his contributions to aviation and his sacrifice. The base was a Strategic Air Command installation, and although it closed in 1975 following the Vietnam War, the airport code MCO endured, carrying forward the memory of Colonel McCoy.
Today, travellers passing through MCO may unknowingly encounter reminders of Colonel McCoy's legacy. The airport features a unique restaurant, McCoy's Bar & Grill, located on the lobby level, which could be seen as a nod to the airport's namesake. As one of the busiest airports in the world, MCO continues to honour Colonel McCoy with each flight that takes off and lands, ensuring that his name soars on in the skies he once navigated.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code MCO comes from the airport's former name, McCoy Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation that was decommissioned in 1975. The airport was renamed in honour of Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, a former pilot who was killed during a bombing competition in 1957.
The airfield was renamed McCoy Air Force Base in 1958 in honour of Colonel McCoy.
Airport codes are designated by the International Air Transport Association, a trade group for the air travel industry that governs various airport policies. These codes are meant to make communication easier for pilots, air traffic controllers, and other parts of the travel industry. Changing the code would require a lot of coordination.
