What is an Airport Master Plan?

An airport master plan is a comprehensive study of an airport and describes the short-, medium-, and long-term development plans necessary to support aviation growth throughout the 20-year planning horizon. Airport master plans are malleable facility development guides that will provide the Aviation Authority with a strategy to efficiently meet existing and future aviation demand while preserving the flexibility necessary to respond and adapt to changing industry conditions.

Why does MCO need a Master Plan Update?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends airport master plans be updated every 7-10 years. The Orlando International Airport (MCO) Master Plan was last updated in 2014. The number of passengers traveling through MCO has dramatically increased since that time. The Airport has also gone through numerous changes, including the construction and integration of Terminal C and the Train Station. A master plan update is needed to establish a development framework for the Aviation Authority and define the future of the Airport to meet the growing and evolving needs of the Central Florida region.

MCO Master Plan Update Process

The MCO Master Plan Update will be conducted in accordance with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance and follows a traditional process for airport master plans.

Airport Master Plan Update Goals

The Master Plan Update is intended to establish a development framework for the Airport focused on:

• Realizing the vision, goals, and objectives articulated in the Aviation Authority’s 2023 Strategic Plan
• Improving connections through diversified and complementary forms of transportation and mobility by ground and air
• Evaluating synergistic development integrating transportation and non-aviation development
• Formulating a capital investment plan that provides access and utility infrastructure in support of commercial and economic development
• Preserving, restoring, and modernizing existing facilities while adding necessary assets
• Anticipating requirements for electrification, sustainable aviation fuels, autonomous vehicles, and other system/process innovations to improve MCO user experiences
• Providing improved access to the Central Florida region

Master Plan Update – General Themes and Priorities