MCO's Terminal C advantages all Central Floridians | Commentary – Orlando Sentinel

At Orlando Worldwide Airport (MCO), passenger site visitors is rebounding to pre-pandemic ranges, intermodal connectivity is on its means with Brightline intercity passenger rail, and the Larger Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is continuous to contribute to the vibrancy and prosperity of Central Florida because it unveils its most revolutionary providing up to now for our area: Terminal C.

The most important mission in airport historical past, the long-lasting area is marked by sun-filled areas, high-tech data shows and a distinctively Floridian aesthetic.

Terminal C is a vacation spot that ought to impress even probably the most refined vacationers. The brand new terminal provides 300 acres and 15 gates to Orlando’s modal hub, accommodating journey for an extra 10 to 12 million annual passengers.

JetBlue would be the important home airline within the new terminal with a number of flights day by day. Excessive-tech options allow user-friendly journey, whereas prioritizing security and safety. Passengers’ baggage is tracked in actual time utilizing Radio Frequency Identification for luggage and Bluetooth navigational beacons are used for wayfinding. The safety course of will likely be streamlined with automated screening lanes at checkpoints overseen by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and 100% biometric facial recognition methods at each gate instead of boarding passes and scanning.

It’s a novel expertise.

Terminal C is greater than a powerful addition to the capabilities and performance of MCO; it’s a boon to financial improvement and a major income generator. We are able to count on the airport’s present financial impression at greater than $40 billion yearly to develop together with air journey and our group — affecting employment, transportation and delivery capability, and creating extra alternatives for small companies and minority enterprise enterprises. Even when they by no means roll a chunk of bags throughout our signature mosaic tile flooring, residents profit from the airport as a basis for our area’s numerous financial infrastructure. MCO strikes greater than folks — serving as a delivery hub for retail items, grocery gadgets and enterprise provides that journey from the runway to Central Florida’s entrance doorways.

Equally necessary to space residents: These advantages come with out impacting the funds of our native governments. In truth, the airport operates as a user-funded “enterprise enterprise,” receiving no native tax {dollars} and really producing $26 billion yearly in direct and oblique income from parking, automotive leases, greater than 130 meals, beverage and retail concessions, and over 240 industrial contracts.

MCO’s next-generation connectivity to greater than 150 locations helps propel Orlando ahead to its place among the many world’s high cities, elevating the group’s enterprise sources, entrepreneurial alternative and the Orlando model. With this public sector infrastructure funding, Central Florida is best positioned to foster financial variety, together with high-tech and high-wage industries, and maintain job progress within the personal sector.

At the same time as we mark the completion of Terminal C, GOAA is trying forward — making extra investments in parking choices, site visitors administration and intermodal transportation, which can refine and go “Past The Orlando Expertise.”

Kevin Thibault is chief government officer of the Larger Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages the Orlando Worldwide Airport.