ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR AIRPORTS IMPROVEMENTS

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has been awarded $69 million in federal funds for two Terminal C expansion projects. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was notified on Monday by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the funding allocation. The pair of Terminal C projects were previously suspended during the pandemic due to budget considerations.

“We are grateful to the administration, USDOT and the FAA for making this investment in the Central Florida region,” said Carson Good, GOAA Chairman. “We also thank Mayor Buddy Dyer and Mayor Jerry Demings, Congressman Darren Soto, Kevin Thibault and the rest of the Authority management staff for supporting the effort to secure these grants.”

• MCO will receive $49 million for the Terminal C Phase 1 Expansion project, which includes construction of four additional Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS) gates capable of serving either four wide body or eight narrow body aircraft.
• An additional $20 million will be earmarked to fund a portion of the 450-foot, enclosed Pedestrian Connector Bridge, which will provide direct access between the Train Station and Terminal C.

“As Orlando International continues to handle record-setting passenger totals, it is vital that airport improvement efforts keep pace with our traffic,” said Kevin Thibault, GOAA Chief Executive Officer. “Terminal C is the future of transportation in Central Florida and its multimodal connectivity will increase our capacity to accommodate projected future demand.”

The FAA is awarding nearly $1 billion to airports across the country for projects aimed at improving the passenger experience, accessibility, and more. The funding, which comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will be awarded in grants of differing amounts to about 100 different airports across the United States.

With demand for air travel surging back, funding to improve the passenger experience has taken on greater urgency. These grants will enable airports to make it faster and easier for passengers to check bags, get through security and find their gate, all while creating jobs and supporting local economies. The BIL provides $1 billion annually for five years for Airport Terminal Program grants. In total, the law will provide a historic $25 billion to modernize our country’s airport infrastructure.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving more than 50 million annual passengers in 2022. The recently-opened Terminal C is a next level facility that will add 10-12 million annual passengers of capacity and elevate the customer experience. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.