Some of the airports in Florida are BUSY. In fact, 2 of Florida’s airports – Orlando International Airport and Miami International Airport, are among the top ten busiest airports in the country (#9 and #10, respectively). They’re busy enough that passengers are generally told to arrive at the airport 3 hours before their flight and be at the TSA security kiosk 2 hours before their flight, instead of just arriving at the airport 2 hours before their flight.
MCO’s going to get even messier
Both Miami’s and Orlando’s airports have always been something of a hot mess, albeit for different reasons. And things have admittedly been a bit better at MCO since the introduction of Terminal C.
But starting next month, Orlando International Airport is going to start a 2-year upgrade project that will affect a good amount of its passengers.
The project is replacing the aging Gate Link system (lots of people call it the PeopleMover or the Monorail) with new Mitsubishi tram vehicles. The project will also include a full rebuild of the supporting infrastructure. This work is part of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) larger 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program, which includes $5.9 billion in airport upgrades.
MCO will replace the current Gate Link system that serves Gates 70-129 (Airside 2 and 4). The updated system will include four new Mitsubishi vehicles, which will be similar to the ones that were installed in 2017 to service Gates 1-59 (Airside 1 and 3).
To improve reliability, safety, energy efficiency and long-term performance, crews will also rebuild the full system that keeps Gate Link running:
- New running surfaces
- Upgraded traction systems
- Updated power distribution
- Modern vehicle controls and communication networks
- New platform screen doors at boarding areas
When and how it will affect passengers
When:
Work is scheduled to begin on December 3, 2025, and continue through the Fall of 2027. To minimize difficulties for passengers, the project will be done in phases, and one tram is planned to be in operation for most of the construction period.
How:
MCO suggests that passengers can expect the following:
- During normal operations, most passengers will experience only a few extra minutes in their journey, even during peak holiday periods because one tram will remain in operation during the project.
- From time to time, especially overnight, travelers may use shuttle buses as part of their journey through the airport.
- Travelers using rental car or ground transportation services are encouraged to allow an additional 30 minutes in their pickup planning.
“While this project requires some temporary adjustments, the long-term benefits will enhance safety and ensure our Gate Link system serves passengers reliably for decades to come,” said Lance Lyttle, chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
The Gate Link Replacement project is part of a $253 million investment to upgrade the Gate Link vehicles and infrastructure, including everything from running surfaces and operating systems to power distribution, vehicle controls, communication networks, and platform screen doors.
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2 comments
seems stupid to start this project before the christmas holiday?????
Ours is not to question anyone else’s decisions, when we have no control over them. That being said, if they started later, the 2027 holiday season would be affected. This way it’ll be done before then.