PHOTO VIA ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Orlando International Airport has delayed the start of its major tram replacement project, pushing the first phase from December 3 to December 7 as officials adjust the schedule to account for the size and complexity of the work.
The upgrade is part of a $253 million effort to modernize the aging people-mover system that connects the main terminal to Airsides 2 and 4, which serve gates 70 through 129. Airport leaders said the additional time is needed to coordinate logistics and limit disruptions during the holiday travel rush, which could bring an estimated 1.9 million passengers through MCO.
The project will replace decades-old tram vehicles, rebuild tracks and running surfaces, and overhaul the power and control systems that support the link between terminals and gates. Once construction begins, only one tram will operate at a time in the affected areas, a change that is expected to create slower movement between the main terminal and gate complexes. During overnight closures or periods when trams are offline, the airport will use shuttle buses to transport passengers; people are only expected to walk between terminals during an unexpected shutdown.
Travelers are being advised to allow extra time during the construction period, with the airport suggesting at least a 30-minute buffer to navigate potential delays. The work is scheduled to continue in phases through fall 2027 as each airside undergoes a full upgrade. When it’s finished, it’ll have four new Mitsubishi vehicles to meet the increased demands of the airport.
Click HERE to see other improvements the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has planned.
