Orlando News
The passenger numbers for 2018 have been counted and once again Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the busiest airport in the state of Florida with a record 47.7 million annual passengers, up 6.9 percent over 2017. MCO surpassed 150 non-stop domestic and international destinations in 2018, which contributed greatly to the airport’s increased airline activity, seat availability and passenger traffic numbers.
“This is a significant milestone in Orlando International Airport’s history because it shows the sustained strength of the Central Florida economy,” says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “With over 47 million annual passengers and growing, we must continue to plan and build for future growth, following the vision that was established more than three decades ago.”
Orlando held onto its No. 1 spot in 2018 as the top city for meetings and conventions in the U.S., according to Cvent, who has produced an annual list of top convention cities since 2012. The meetings and conventions management technology provider tracked meeting activity from January-December 2017 to compile its 2018 list.
“Orlando International is busier than we have ever been before, we are also now the busiest airport in the state of Florida. With our balanced increase in both domestic and international visitors, 2017 proved to be yet another record breaking year, reflecting the dynamic business activity of the region,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Construction activity will begin soon on the $1.8 billion South Terminal Complex (STC) Phase 1 Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. As the project advances toward the anticipated building phase, the design phase is nearly two-thirds complete. The design team of Fentress Architects, HNTB and Schenkel Shultz recently reached the 60 percent threshold, with only two design benchmarks remaining.
With the airport welcoming nearly 42 million visitors last year, and its current infrastructure built to accommodate an average capacity of 40 million, the need for expansion is obvious and immediate. Furthermore, this year's crop of new theme park attractions that include Volcano Bay water park at Universal Orlando Resort and Pandora: The World of Avatar at Walt Disney World Resort will make Central Florida's $60 billion tourism industry even more appealing to travelers and bring even more business to the airport.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) ended 2016 processing nearly 42 million annual passengers, a new record!
“Orlando International Airport just experienced its busiest and most successful year in airport history,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “As a major economic engine in this community, generating over $31 billion in direct and indirect revenue, record domestic and international traffic means jobs and opportunities for our local economy.”
