Metro Orlando Airport News

[tc01]

That is very good news to hear, I just hope it happens.

Edited January 22, 2010 by tc01

[bic]

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has a vision of a "Grand Central Station" rail terminal at MCO that would link the airport to the various high-speed, commuter, and light-rail lines in the region's future. Such a terminal would also include a hotel, food/retail concessions, rental-car counters, and a tram connection to the airport terminals. It would have to be located on the site of the proposed south terminal since the original site set aside for a rail station on the east side of the existing terminal is too small. Sounds nice but of course the airport leaders want the Feds and state to pay for it so don't hold your breath waiting for this to get built.

Orlando Sentinel Article

BTW, JetBlue is supposed to announce on March 22 whether they will relocate their headquarters to Orlando or stay put in New York. Cross your fingers!

[prahaboheme]

I really do like the sound of this plan -- a grand entrance into the city of Orlando. Isn't Miami building a terminal station at MIA similar to this proposal?

It sounds like the OCCC station should also be a larger, grand station, if it is going to become a hub for multiple train lines, cars, taxis, etc.

Edited March 18, 2010 by prahaboheme

[prahaboheme]

I don't think Orlando is lacking in grand ideas.

[steve_o]

Really like this plan but just cant help to think how great it would be if it were built downtown. All the people it would plant there if only for a few moments... At least the tourists would know there is a downtown!

[prahaboheme]

If SunRail links up to this station directly via the Taft spur plan (which I hope is a part of this proposal), I think the OIA station makes perfect sense. That way, we have the direct link from the airport to the attractions and downtown.

[prahaboheme]

Ya win some, ya lose some: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-jet-blue-headquarters-decision-20100322,0,3951558.story

I can't say I'm at all surprised they've chosen to stay in New York.

[prahaboheme]

Orlando Executive Airport traffic down 35% -- perhaps it is time to look at other options for this land?

Some say a Baldwin Park style infill development. Personally, I would like to see a large, Central Park type public space that enhances the lake, flanked by dense development on all sides. Baldwin Park is very nice, but it's still a bit too suburban for a location like this.

Get rid of the airport, increase allowable height limits downtown, and build on this prime location 2 miles East of downtown Orlando. Sounds like a win / win for the city and it's residents.

Orlando Sentinel

Edited June 24, 2010 by prahaboheme

[spenser1058]

Orlando Executive Airport traffic down 35% -- perhaps it is time to look at other options for this land?

Some say a Baldwin Park style infill development. Personally, I would like to see a large, Central Park type public space that enhances the lake, flanked by dense development on all sides. Baldwin Park is very nice, but it's still a bit too suburban for a location like this.

Get rid of the airport, increase allowable height limits downtown, and build on this prime location 2 miles East of downtown Orlando. Sounds like a win / win for the city and it's residents.

Orlando Sentinel

It's a lovely thought, but imho will not happen in my lifetime. This, unlike Baldwin Park, would be strictly a local decision and the movers and shakers who still fly in and out of Herndon (as the old-timers still call it) will never support it. Not to mention the Showalters of Showalter Flying Service are FFO's (a First Family of Orlando) and this is their livelihood.

St. Pete tried to close its general aviation field near downtown a few years ago as part of the drive to get the Rays a new home. It is located on an even more picturesque site (right on the water) and the idea died a quick death. Also, unlike Baldwin Park, where the cost of cleaning up the environmental mess of the old AFB was picked up by the feds, this would have to be cleaned up by the city and is quite likely cost-prohibitive. Also, even if it did close, the city would be very unlikely to give up the potential for significant tax revenues by turning this into a park (given the cleanup costs, they probably would have little choice).

If my crystal ball is working at all, I would expect OEA to be around for a long time.

Edited June 24, 2010 by spenser1058

[Magicfan95]

Orlando Executive Airport traffic down 35% -- perhaps it is time to look at other options for this land?

Some say a Baldwin Park style infill development. Personally, I would like to see a large, Central Park type public space that enhances the lake, flanked by dense development on all sides. Baldwin Park is very nice, but it's still a bit too suburban for a location like this.

Get rid of the airport, increase allowable height limits downtown, and build on this prime location 2 miles East of downtown Orlando. Sounds like a win / win for the city and it's residents.

Orlando Sentinel

It's down 35% because of the economy. It is still one of the biggest money makers for the GOAA and one of the busiest exec airports in the country. It won't ever close.

[bic]

Airport officials dust off plans for 1,800 acres near "medical city"

[prahaboheme]

The whole "medical city" should be the "creative village" in downtown Orlando. The more and more this area is developed, the less and less leverage downtown will have.

[bic]

Not much in the way of news but figured I'd give this thread a bump by posting MCO's route map to international locales:

[prahaboheme]

I really wish MCO could work something our with AirFrance for direct flights to DeGaulle. My mother and I are traveling at the end of September and it is cheaper for her to fly to Boston, and for us to leave from here.

[gibby]

Looks like AMS will be gone soon. Hopefully another airline will pick it up but I'm not sure. It would be great to get CDG an/or MAD. My guesses for our next international service would be Rio, Lima or Medellin.

[prahaboheme]

OIA traffic rises in July: Orlando Sentinel

[bic]

^ The faster traffic increases, the quicker we'll see development of the long-awaited South Terminal.

[gibby]

Looks like Air France will be starting non stop flights next year. We were just talking about this two weeks ago so this is pretty neat:

http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/press/press-releases/article/item/lancement-de-deux-nouvelles-destinations-orlando-et-lima-a-partir-de-juin-2011/back/61/

[bic]

Prahaboheme, ask and ye shall receive.

[prahaboheme]

^See someone is spying on us here at urbanplanet!

[Camillo Sitte]

"The new service will provide the first direct flights between Orlando and Paris."

Leave it to the Sentinel to get the facts wrong.

First, a "direct flight" simply means the same plane from point A to point B with any number of stops in between. The significance of this new service is that it is a "non-stop" flight.

More egregious however is the fact that Delta offered non-stop service from Orlando [MCO] to Paris [ORY] way back in the 90's.

[bulldogger]

Southwest to buy AirTran

Any ideas how this will affect our local market?

[bic]

^ This is pretty major news. We can say goodbye to the only airline headquarters we had in Orlando, hello to Southwest Airlines dominating MCO, and I suppose AirTran's sponsorship deal with the Magic/Amway Center will be converted over to WN.

[gibby]

I'm still shocked that the Sentinel has not picked up on this. They only have a tiny wire report so far (11:04 am).

[DeepEyez]

Southwest Airlines to acquire Orlando-based AirTran

Southwest Airlines announced today that is is acquiring AirTran and will move the Orlando-based airline's headquarters to Dallas.

The deal, which requires approval from shareholders and federal regulators, is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. The combined airlines will fly under the Southwest name.

Southwest to acquire AirTran

Edited September 27, 2010 by DeepEyez