ORLANDO, Fla. — It was an active Board Day at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. Prior to the regular meeting, the Board held a workshop to consider options for a reimagined concessions program at Terminals A & B. The Master Plan update would focus on:
· Modernizing and right-sizing the concessions program
· Capitalizing on existing infrastructure
· Updating the concession concepts and designs to meet the wants and needs of airport customers
· Continuing to provide impactful opportunities for small businesses
The next steps in the process include hosting several outreach events to promote opportunities and provide information, along with finalizing a leasing strategy for the upcoming solicitations. The presentation for today’s workshop can be found here: Concessions Master Plan Presentation.
During the meeting, the Board turned its attention to the Strategic Plan goal of excelling in responsiveness to customer needs by approving a contract with Move Agency to redesign the current MCO Website (orlandoairports.net) and the internal MCO Cares Website. The update will integrate and support multistream and multiplatform content management and control over that content, including creation, approval and publishing to meet airport-specific needs.
Also at today’s meeting, the Aviation Authority agreed to buy a fleet of specialized buses for future passenger transport. When Orlando International Airport (MCO) begins replacing the GateLink (automated people mover) system that services Airsides 2 & 4, the 10 new COBUS 3000s will provide backup transportation.
The large capacity COBUS buses are designed specifically to move large groups of airline passengers over relatively short distances on the airport aprons and secondary roadways. Certain unique features include a capacity of up to 110 passengers; extra-large sets of doors for rapid loading and unloading; and doors on both sides of the bus to eliminate extra maneuvering by the driver.
During the construction project, where all vehicles, running surfaces and central control equipment will be replaced, maintaining passenger service and minimizing the time that any one of the two GateLink lanes to each airside is out of service is essential. In the event of a service interruption, the buses will be mobilized as a passenger transport alternative.
GOAA expects to take delivery of the buses prior to the projected start of onsite construction in December 2025. Completion of the project is anticipated in the Spring 2027.
Fairbanks International Airport Baggage Transport Conveyor Enhanced With Mod Drive™ System
Airports face a host of unique industry challenges, such as meeting efficiency regulations and seeking out the best maintenance practices to reduce costs and keep operations flowing. In today’s current economic climate, any potential cost savings can go a long way.
In 2019, Alaska’s Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) sought to modernize its equipment and operations. They were dissatisfied with the performance of the gearmotors on their baggage transport conveyors and began searching for new suppliers. Regal approached FAI with a solution that could improve equipment performance and simplify maintenance, with the added benefit of energy cost savings: the Hub City® MOD Drive™ system.
This white paper discusses the hardware deployed, the test results and the annualized expectations for ROI.