Orlando Airport Breaks Previous Record, Embraces Growth with New Initiatives

Saturday, March 23, 2024

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Orlando International Airport witnessed an unprecedented event, setting a new record with 102,064 departing passengers in a single day. This figure doesn’t account for arriving passengers, which, when considered, doubles the total to 204,128 – marking the highest number of passengers the airport has seen in one day.

The 2024 Spring Break period was expected to see an 11% increase in passenger traffic compared to the year prior. The previous daily passenger record at MCO was established on December 30, 2023, when 98,521 passengers passed through security at Florida’s most bustling airport. This record was overtaken on March 15, 2024, just one day prior to the establishment of the new milestone. For detailed insights into the Spring Break 2024 season, the Top 10 provides comprehensive coverage.

In response to the surge in passenger numbers, MCO is actively implementing measures to accommodate this growth. Among these measures is the introduction of a Reserved Parking program, which enables travelers to reserve parking space via the MCO website or mobile app before their arrival. After entering their vehicle details and making a payment, passengers receive a QR code granting them effortless entry to Level 4 of Parking Garage C. From there, they can directly proceed to Terminal C or catch a quick Automated People Mover (APM) ride to Terminals A and B. Moreover, MCO has recently unveiled three new surface parking lots, which are accessible to E-Pass and SunPass Plus users, provided they are signed up with Easy Pay and use a transponder for entry and exit.

Enhancing the travel experience further, MCO is fully staffed and has increased the presence of Customer Experience ambassadors during peak times. The 3-2-1 rule is another strategy to streamline travel: arrive at the airline ticket counter at least three hours before your flight, reach the security checkpoint at least two hours in advance, and be at your gate at least one hour before boarding. Travelers are also reminded to maintain patience and refrain from bringing weapons through the security checkpoint.

Here is an overview of MCO’s expansion over the last ten years.

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