Some significant new changes are coming to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) over the next decade. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has revealed new plans detailing several bold new additions, including infrastructure improvements, facial recognition and biometric scanning, VR and AR rides, and more.
Orlando International Airport (MCO), which most fly into for their Disney World vacation, is one of the busiest airports in Florida and in the U.S. overall. This new long-term strategy focuses on growth and enhancement of the guest experience. Keep reading for everything we know about the changes coming!
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Changes Coming to Orlando Airports
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has just revealed a new strategic vision detailing improvements and growth for Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) over the next 10 years. The new changes and improvements, according to the GOAA, are focused on “enhancing the customer experience and strengthening the Aviation Authority’s role as a driver of economic growth and innovation.”
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A video shared by the GOAA reveals a bird's eye view of an improved MCO featuring new parking garages, a future hotel, future terminal expansion, and airport improvements.
In a press release, the GOAA shared infrastructure improvements planned for completion by 2030 include an increase of available public parking by 8,000 spaces, the construction of a new Baggage Handling System for Terminals A & B, the completion of Airside 2 gate expansions, the incorporation of additional passenger conveyance in Terminal C from Palm Court to Gate C230, and the completion of Terminal C, Phase 2, construction by 2035.
As part of this transformation, Terminals A, B, and C will be renamed to Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
The video shares how “travelers will have more choices than ever before when arriving, whether by car, automated peoplemover, light rail, high-speed train, or even by air taxi. Every option connects directly to the terminal.”
Part of the plan includes the completion of an FAA-approved on-airport AAM vertiport by 2030. This vertiport will house the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which will serve to create fast regional connections.
A new optional biometric system will allow passengers to check in, drop bags, pass security, and board using facial recognition.
There will also be several improvements to the guest experience, including enhanced flight information display systems and wayfinding, autonomous wheelchair technology, smart restrooms, mobile food ordering, personalized retail, and new lounges and holdrooms.
Arguably one of the most interesting new changes is the addition of VR and AR play areas. Concept art for this shows visitors in a robotic arm-style ride format that appears similar to the ride systems utilized by Universal.
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General customer experience goals detailed in the press release include supporting all activities and projects necessary to attain a 5-star Skytrax rating and by 2035, activating 60% of current vacant real estate assets at ORL while maximizing revenue.
In addition to the vertiport, plans for the community also include the development of at least one new cargo processing facility and, by 2030, the goal to increase non-aeronautical revenue by 30% compared to the revenue figures recorded for 2025.
By 2030, they plan to launch a fully operational Business Incubator at MCO and increase the number of small businesses working with MCO by 40%, and by 2028, to gain a 20% increase over 2025 baseline employee engagement scores to reach an employee engagement score of 90% within 5 years.
The GOAA will bring these goals to fruition with support from the $5.9 billion MCO Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and $84.2 million ORL Capital Improvement Program.
“This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports,” said Chief Executive Officer Lance Lyttle of the GOAA. “We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”
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