A clear vision for the future has long been a hallmark of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and its stewardship of Orlando International Airport (MCO). Tuesday (Dec 6), the airport and community celebrated the most recent manifestation of that vision, the historic opening of Terminal C. The dedication ceremony, which included state and local officials, airport partners, and community leaders, was the culmination of a decades-long journey of planning, conceptualizing, and more importantly perseverance, to reach completion. This new reality in connecting next-level air travel with multi-modal transportation access will raise the bar for world-class customer convenience.
“Responding to passenger demand and supporting the dynamic growth in Central Florida have always been key elements to our phased development philosophy,” said Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Carson Good. “This terminal reflects the growth of our global appeal as an international travel gateway for business and leisure.”
“Today’s travelers to and from Central Florida demand efficient connections to other modes of transportation, so it is essential that we stay at the forefront of innovation, customer care, and improved connectivity,” says Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chief Executive Officer Kevin Thibault. “Our challenge will always be to provide state-of-the-art services and facilities at an affordable cost.”
While the Terminal C story may have reached its climax in 2022, it’s really been a chronicle of development dating back to the 1990s. Not long after the new Orlando International Airport opened in 1981, GOAA already began looking further into the future. With the foresight that the region had the potential to become one of the world’s hottest destinations, continued development to support expected passenger traffic growth was envisioned.
TIMELINE OF TERMINAL C DEVELOPMENT
April 1998
- South Terminal concepts presented to GOAA Board
September 1998
- Groundbreaking ceremony
April 2000
- Site preparation is underway with three million cubic yards of fill dirt moved
February 2000
- FAA approves Airspace plan
September 11, 2001
- In response to unprecedented impacts on the aviation industry, GOAA Board slows the pace of several capital programs including many parts of the South Terminal program
May 2015
- GOAA Board authorizes the request to proceed with the design of phase one of the South Terminal.
August 2015
- Authority selects Fentress Architects to design the first phase of Terminal C
March 2016
- GOAA Board approves construction of Terminal C
March 2017
- Construction begins
September 2022
- Terminal C receives the first arriving flight
The construction of Terminal C is in line with the Aviation Authority’s history of planned, phased, and fiscally-responsible development based on demand and the airport’s Master Plan. In keeping with that spirit of foresight, the GOAA Board approved a $4.2 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that included renovation and expansion projects that began in 2015. In its full context, the development of the South Terminal Complex included the South Airport Automated People Mover Complex (Terminal Link), Intermodal Terminal Facility (now known as the Train Station), and enhancements to the North Terminal Complex.
Terminal C is the unifying feature of the South Terminal Complex, which will become one of the nation’s first multi-modal transport hubs with direct access to Brightline higher-speed, intercity rail; planned expansion of SunRail commuter rail; a proposed light rail system; multiple ground transportation options; and an Automated People Mover connection between the South and North campuses.
Terminal C is a critical element of airport development and the region’s economic growth. By enabling MCO to accommodate an additional 10-12 million annual passengers, the new facility will increase overall airport capacity to nearly 60 million passengers a year.
TERMINAL C FEATURES INCLUDE
Flexible Gates
Domestic and International flight operations can be accommodated at every gate. Seven MARS (Multiple Aircraft Ramp System) gates offer the adaptability to provide single or dual boarding bridge access for one jumbo aircraft or single-boarding bridge access for two narrow-body aircraft.
Individual Carrier Baggage Handling System
Dedicated totes with Radio Frequency Identification chips are paired with individual bags to provide real-time tracking information along the entire route. In addition to streamlining the delivery process, the tote system reduces bottlenecks and nearly eliminates jams. It also offers ease of future expansion and lower life-cycle costs. In addition, the system incorporates a robotic early storage facility with a 1,800-bag capacity.
Unique customer arrival experience
Arrivals and bag claims are located on the top level so passengers will experience the beauty of Central Florida immediately after deplaning. Skylights that run the entire length of the concourse, along with floor-to-ceiling windows, bring the region’s natural wonders into view for all arriving guests to enjoy. Departures, ticketing, and security are located on the second level and ground transportation is on the first level.
Dynamic concessions
With an eclectic mix of national and local brands, Terminal C features 24 food & beverage outlets, 11 retail stores and one lounge for a total of more than 80,000 square feet of concession space. To maximize customer options once they make their way to the gate area, 93% of the concessions are located post-security.
Experiential Media Environment (EME)
Large-scale immersive and interactive multimedia features are architecturally integrated and feature original content displayed in ultrahigh resolution. The cinematic storytelling celebrates distinctly Central Florida experiences, such as a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, cattle herding on the Deseret Ranch and swimming with manatees in Crystal River. The displays are featured in the gate area hub and airside North Concourse, with the third feature in the public entrance area planned for the future
Artistic Touches
Specialty terrazzo floor murals; multi-story art glass feature walls; original artwork in multiple media, including glass & canvas, are strategically placed throughout the terminal to enhance the travel journey from curb to gate.
Sustainability Initiatives
Terminal C has been designed as one of the first LEED®v4 airport campuses in the world; “Forever Trees” are constructed from preserved materials from actual palm and
cypress trees; limited ingress & egress points enhance internal climate control efforts; floating solar array tests the viability of solar power generation.
Terminal C design evokes a campus vision by focusing on a unifying theme. The design includes a concept called “The Boulevard,” which creates a gateway to Orlando and captures the essence of Central Florida. The facility is designed to be intuitive so the passenger is drawn from one element to the next by creating an exciting and memorable travel experience. As one of the busiest airports in the world, Orlando International is the premier global gateway to the most-visited destination in the nation. Terminal C enables MCO to continue serving the needs of the diverse Central Florida community and meeting the demands of projected passenger growth.
