History

  • Old black and white 1928 photo of a poster that promotes the official opening as "Orlando Municipal Airport". Pan Am begins service to Cuba and Puerto Rico from ORL.
    1928

    Official opening as "Orlando Municipal Airport". Pan Am begins service to Cuba and Puerto Rico from ORL

  • Old 1929 black and white aerial photo of Orlando Municipal Airport.
    1929

    US Postal Service inaugurates Air Mail service to and from ORL

  • An old 1935 black and white photo of Amelia Earhart standing in front of a bi-plane parked in front of an Orlando Municipal Airport hangar.
    1935

    Amelia Earhart visits Florida Air Tours, an annual week-long event.

  • An old 1982 aerial photo of ORL. Eddie Rickenbacker (President of Eastern Airlines) makes an appearance at ORL's 10th anniversary celebration.
    1938

    Eddie Rickenbacker (President of Eastern Airlines) makes an appearance at ORL's 10th anniversary celebration.

  • An old 1940 black and white photo of US Army Corps soldiers lined up on the runway of Orlando Air Base.
    1940

    Renamed "Orlando Air Base" as US Army Corps assumes control for military training.

  • An old 1946 black and white photo of Florida Motor Lines delivering mail to Eastern Air Transport at Orlando Municipal Airport.
    1946

    Control reverts to the City of Orlando. Commercial air service (Delta, Eastern and National Airlines) commences.

  • ORL 1951
    1951

    Orlando Executive terminal is built on Herndon Avenue.

  • An old 1961 black and white photo of Orlando Air Base, which is renamed "Herndon Airport" by the City of Orlando
    1961

    Orlando Air Base is renamed "Herndon Airport" by the City of Orlando.

  • An old 1962 black and white photo of cars parked in front of old Terminal. Commercial air service starts relocation to McCoy AFB property (the future Orlando International Airport), 8 miles south of ORL.
    1962

    Commercial air service starts relocation to McCoy AFB property (the future Orlando International Airport), 8 miles south of ORL.

  • An old 1968 black and white aerial photo of McCoy Air Force Base. Airlines complete relocation to McCoy AFB, making ORL primarily a general and corporate aviation airport.
    1968

    Airlines complete relocation to McCoy AFB, making ORL primarily a general and corporate aviation airport.

  • An old 1976 black and white photo of ORL. Operational control of ORL transfers from the city of Orlando to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA).
    1976

    Operational control of ORL transfers from the city of Orlando to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA).

  • A corporate jet lands on the runway of Orlando Executive Airport.
    1982

    Herndon Airport renamed "Orlando Executive Airport" by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

  • A wooden sign painted in red, white, and blue marks Colonel Joe Kittinger Park, an aviation-themed park dedicated in 1992. Located in the southwest corner of the airport off Crystal Lake Drive, the park honors hometown hero and aviation legend Colonel Joe Kittinger.
    1992

    Dedicated an aviation themed park in the southwest corner of the airport (off Crystal Lake Drive) in honor of hometown hero and aviation extraordinaire, Colonel Joe Kittinger.

  • A single engine plane lands at ORL. In 1995, the FAA moved into a new Air Traffic Control Tower ideally located south and midfield of runway 7/25.
    1995

    FAA moved into a new Air Traffic Control Tower ideally located south and midfield of runway 7/25.

  • Orlando Executive Airport hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    1996

    Orlando Executive Airport hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 1997, a Terminal is razed and construction of new FBO facilities begins.
    1997

    Terminal is razed and construction of new FBO facilities begins.

  • In 2000, Showalter Flying Service's new terminal opened.
    2000

    Fixed base operator, Showalter Flying Service's new terminal opened.

  • In 2001, Sheltair Aviation Services’ new terminal opened.
    2001

    Fixed based operator, Sheltair Aviation Services’ new terminal opened.

  • 2002 aerial photo of planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2002

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2003, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2003

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2005, Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2005

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2006, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2006

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2007, airport administration moved into new facilities at 365 Rickenbacker Drive, complete with a 3,600 sq. ft. community room and facilities to offer international flight clearance through an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
    2007

    Airport administration moved into new facilities at 365 Rickenbacker Drive, complete with a 3,600 sq. ft. community room and facilities to offer international flight clearance through an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

  • In 2008, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2008

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2009, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2009

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2010, two veterans stand in front of dedicated State Historical Marker, recognizing the contributions that the airport made in support of World War II. The marker is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Maguire Blvd. and Livingston St. on the west side of the airport.
    2010

    Dedicated a State Historical Marker recognizing the contributions that the airport made in support of World War II. The marker is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Maguire Blvd. and Livingston St. on the west side of the airport.

  • In 2012, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2012

    Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

  • In 2014, planes on display at ORL. Orlando hosts the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.
    2014

    Orlando hosts the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.