Orlando International Airport has experienced significant growth as international travel has surged over the past year, with around 800,000 passengers passing through the terminal compared to 2023.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the world,” said Kevin J. Thibaud, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees Orlando International Airport. “This growth not only highlights the resilience and appeal of Central Florida as a global hub, but also the importance of international travel as a gateway to the world. This is what we see as our region, It’s great news for our community and our mission to connect Florida with the rest of the world.”
Southwest Airlines opened an international hub at MCO, expanding Caribbean services from two routes to eight. JetBlue has introduced flights to Punta Cana and Santiago in the Dominican Republic, and Porter Airlines has added services to Ottawa and Toronto. Together, these three airlines accounted for 84% of the MCO’s international passenger growth.
Despite facing a variety of challenges in the aviation industry in 2024, MCO has announced that it has been 2023, including airline bankruptcy, delays in aircraft delivery, and FAA notifications for proposed rules for certain engine overhauls. Compared to the results, only a slight decrease of 0.9% was seen.
Orlando International Airport is Florida’s busiest airport, serving 57,211,628 passengers in 2024.
The MCO plans to introduce two new international routes in 2025. IsduciveAirlines will begin service to Munich, Germany on March 5th, while Air France will begin flights to Paris, France on May 21st. Additionally, some MCO’s airlines are forecasting seat capacity increases in spring and early summer. Passenger volumes are expected to rise as tourists gather in Orlando in May to open up a spectacular universe.
