$1.1 Billion Capital Improvement for Airport Operations Approved by Orlando Aviation Authority

On Wednesday, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority unanimously approved a $1.1 billion scheme to improve airport operations, passenger processing and capacity for Orlando International Airport.

The expansion plans will hope to increase the capacity from the current 24 million to 45 million passengers per year.

The project will incorporate major improvements to airport operations for passenger processing capabilities including a new terminal ticket lobby and baggage handling facility.

In addition to the passenger processing improvements will be airfield projects and ground transportation plus terminal and airside upgrades and new additions.

The South Terminal APM Complex will be connected to the North Terminal via a people mover, giving direct connection to the South Terminal parking garage.

“Once we hit the trigger of 40 million annual passengers and now 2 million annual arriving international passengers, we’ll start the final design and construction of phase one of the South Terminal project, which will be a new terminal,” said Phil Brown, GOAA Executive Director.

Eight airlines are in support of the project, expected to begin in 2014 and take three years.  Five airlines have lodged objections, however, to the people mover and car requisitions from North to South Terminals.

The board have made it quite clear that they will not move forward with the expenditure of the entire budget without just and clear reasoning for proven, worthy spending.

The funding has been sourced from both state and federal grants, passenger facility charges and general airport revenue.  The improvements will greatly enhance passenger processing and baggage handling for a direct impact upon the passenger experience.