IMAGES VIA GOAA
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board adopted policy changes to its Local Developing Business program and announced a new Small Business program at its latest meeting, which also reviewed the authority’s 2026 fiscal year at Orlando International Airport and the Orlando Executive Airport.
GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle presented a video of the fiscal year’s major projects during the meeting. “We are undertaking an ambitious effort to redefine what it means to deliver a world-class airport experience,” Lyttle said. “As we welcome more visitors, more airlines, more routes, and new programs, our responsibility is to elevate every part of the journey, making it more welcoming, intuitive, and connected.”
Highlights from the fiscal year, according to the release, include:
The opening of an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving walkways between the train station and Terminal C. A new Terminal C wing serving Gates 250 to 254, now the home of Virgin Atlantic. Three new Family Zones, one in each terminal, with spaces for children to play, read, and recharge, and improved wayfinding on airport roadways, in parking areas and inside the terminals.
GOAA installed a Parking Guidance System in Terminal C, with phased activation planned for all garages between now and mid-2027. The airport also created dedicated employee parking areas to free up more spaces for customers and began planning two new garages that would add 8,000 public parking spaces in the next few years. A $40 million Beautiful Airports Program is funding improvements to garages, terminals, and other campus areas as well.
Investments in cargo, corporate and general aviation include a $50 million project by dnata, a $26 million redevelopment by Lake Nona-based Signature Aviation at MCO and the groundbreaking of Sky Harbour’s $40 million campus at ORL.
ZIPAIR launched the first passenger charter service between Florida and the Asia-Pacific region, with nonstop flights between Orlando and Tokyo. Iberia began nonstop service to Madrid, adding another direct link between Central Florida and Europe.
