After decades of use and millions of passengers, Orlando International Airport is exploring what could come next for some of its most beloved vehicles

ORLANDO, Fla. – They’ve traveled millions of miles without ever leaving Orlando International Airport (MCO). They’ve carried millions of passengers. They’ve been photographed, filmed, ridden, remembered, and apparently, very much wanted.

Now, as MCO’s long-time Gate Link vehicles begin heading into retirement, there’s just one question:

What exactly do you do with a retired train that everybody seems to want?

Our airport fans may have a few ideas.

If you could give a retired MCO Gate Link, or a piece of one, a second life, what would you do with it?

Go ahead, tell us here (Google Form). We’re listening.

MCO recently celebrated the launch of upgraded Gate Link service to Gates 100-129, a major milestone in the airport’s $253 million Gate Link Replacement Project. The investment will ultimately replace four aging Gate Link trains and their supporting systems with a new generation of vehicles and infrastructure designed to provide a smoother, more dependable passenger experience between Terminals A&B and Gates 70-129.

Video: See inside the new Gate Link cars by visiting our YouTube channel.

While plenty of attention has been focused on what’s arriving, the community has made one thing abundantly clear: don’t forget about what’s leaving.

Social media comments, messages, phones calls, and conversations have shown no shortage of interest in MCO’s retiring Gate Links.

Some people want a piece of one.

Some want an entire car to put on display in their backyard.

Others have offered imaginative and creative ideas for giving the vehicles a second life.

We’ve seen them. We’ve heard you, and yes – we’re thinking about it.

After decades of service, MCO believes these vehicles deserve more than an unceremonious final trip into the sunset. Orlando International Airport is exploring opportunities to preserve, repurpose, and reimagine elements of the retiring Gate Links, potentially giving pieces of MCO history an entirely new destination.

What exactly does that mean?

Nice try.

For now, we’re keeping a few things behind the platform screen doors, but as planning continues, MCO wants the community that has ridden, photographed, and embraced these Gate Link vehicles over the years to join the conversation.

Make it practical, make it nostalgic, make it completely ridiculous. We want to hear it, because after carrying millions of travelers on the first or last few minutes of their Orlando journeys, these Gate Links have earned their place in MCO history.

About Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving nearly 58 million annual passengers across its three terminals, A, B and C. Connected to an Intermodal Terminal Facility that offers high-speed passenger rail service, Terminal C is an inventive structure that elevates the customer experience with 100% automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.

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For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at 407-825-2055 or email us at MCOPIO@goaa.org for further assistance.

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See inside the new APM cars by visiting our YouTube Channel.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Passengers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) will find a smoother connection to their gates beginning today as MCO launches upgraded tram service to Gates 100-129 via the Gate Link. The improvement is part of a $6.9 billion Capital Improvement Program, an investment in modernizing the airport and elevating the passenger experience.

“Every journey through MCO is part of a larger story,” said Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Through our $6.9 billion Capital Improvement Program, we are building an airport for the future, and this Gate Link milestone brings that vision to life with a smoother, more dependable experience for passengers.”

Passengers traveling on the first upgraded track can now experience new vehicles and modernized infrastructure, bringing a smoother, more reliable ride to a connection that is central to their journey through the airport.

The launch is the first major service milestone in MCO’s $253 million Gate Link Replacement Project. The work includes new running surfaces, power distribution equipment, vehicle controls, communications and operating systems, and platform screen doors. Each new Gate Link set of cars that can carry up to 240 passengers.

The service launch is also the start of the next phase of work. Crews will now upgrade the second track serving Gates 100-129 while the newly completed track carries passengers. Once work on that connection is finished, the project will move to Gates 70-99, where both tracks, their trams, and supporting systems will be replaced and upgraded.

By bringing the first upgraded track into service now, MCO is delivering an immediate improvement for passengers while building toward a more dependable Gate Link experience across both gate areas.

Learn more about these projects at https://flymco.com/elevatingmco/.

About Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving nearly 58 million annual passengers across its three terminals, A, B and C. Connected to an Intermodal Terminal Facility that offers high-speed passenger rail service, Terminal C is an inventive structure that elevates the customer experience with 100% automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.

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For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at 407-825-2055 or email us at MCOPIO@goaa.org for further assistance.

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ORLANDO, Fla. – New investments in innovation, infrastructure, and the guest experience are taking flight at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Board approved Fiscal Year 2027 budgets designed to elevate both airports and position them for continued growth.

The approved FY 2027 budget for MCO totals $968,495,000. The Board also approved an FY 2027 budget of $10,934,622 for ORL.

It is important to note the budget does not include any local tax dollars.

As the busiest airport in Florida, and one of the busiest in the United States, MCO continues to experience strong travel demand. ORL serves as the region’s premiere general aviation facility and primary reliever airport for MCO.

“Every investment we make should elevate the experience for our guests while ensuring our airports remain operationally strong and ready for what comes next,” said Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages MCO and ORL. “We are focused on exploring innovative ideas, embracing new technology, and creating spaces that make each journey easier and more enjoyable. These budgets allow us to keep improving the airport experience, from arrival to takeoff."

Investing in MCO’s Future

In addition to the annual budgets, the Board approved an update to MCO’s multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The program identifies major projects that will expand capacity, modernize facilities, preserve existing assets, and enhance safety, security, and operational efficiency.

The updated CIP represents a net increase of $934.6 million in planned capital investments at MCO, including:

• Adding at least 7 new gates to Airside 2 (Gates 100-129).
• Expanding parking and car rental facilities.
• Constructing new baggage handling facilities to improve baggage screening and processing.
• Renovating and adding new restrooms, seating areas, retail shops, and restaurants at Terminals A and B.
• Installing state-of-the-art technology to improve the journey through MCO.
• Reconstructing critical airfield pavement infrastructure.

Supporting Orlando Executive Airport

The Board approved an updated $94.6 million Capital Improvement Program for ORL, representing a net increase of $10.4 million.

The program focuses primarily on airfield improvements that may qualify for federal and state funding. These projects support ORL’s important role as MCO’s primary reliever airport. The ORL program also includes commercial property improvements.

About Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving nearly 58 million annual passengers across its three terminals, A, B and C. Connected to an Intermodal Terminal Facility that offers high-speed passenger rail service, Terminal C is an inventive structure that elevates the customer experience with 100% automated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.

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For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at 407-825-2055 or email us at MCOPIO@goaa.org for further assistance.

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