Press

ORLANDO, FL. – Passenger traffic continues to rise at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and to support the increasing activity, most airport concessions have returned to operation. At today’s Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Board meeting, members were briefed about the status of current concessionaires along with the plan for those slated for the South Terminal.

In the North Terminal, both Landside and Airside, 90 percent of the retail stores and 82 percent of the food and beverage outlets are open. Only five of the 51 retail concessions remain closed and all are located in the Landside Terminal. Of the 60 food and beverage concessions, only 11 are closed. They are located both Landside and Airside. All service concessions have reopened with the exception of the four XpresSpa locations. To date, nearly $85 million in total funding has been allocated to MCO concessionaires and rental car companies for relief from the effects of the pandemic.

The concessions program at the South Terminal features a mix of local and national brands. Three food and beverage packages have been approved by the Board and include Foxtail Coffee; Orange County Brewers; Summer House Orlando; Greenbeat; Provisions by Cask & Larder; and Sunshine Diner by Chef Art Smith. Retail concession packages include traditional theme park partners Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, along with Gatlin Trade and Main Streets Market.

Power Partnership

The Board approved final agreements on a comprehensive partnership with Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC). Since 2017, GOAA and OUC have been exploring and refining plans to capitalize on the company’s expertise in delivering and managing essential utility services. The final agreement includes:

• 24/7 staffing of Chilled Water Plant at the Central Energy Plant (CEP)
• Operation of the 28 megawatt Back-Up Generation Facility for emergency power distribution
• Sustainability initiatives
• Access and Use License
• Ancillary Services

Orlando International Airport’s sustainability efforts have already benefitted from OUC’s reputation as a pioneer in solar power generation. GOAA and OUC completed the design and construction of a 123-kilowatt Floating Solar Array in December 2020. The facility is located just north of the Intermodal Terminal Facility.

FDOT Funding

Accepting nearly $2 million dollars in state funding for security enhancements was also approved by the Board. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) offered Public Transportation Grant Agreements (PTGA) to Orlando International and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). A PTGA in the amount of $1.8 million will provide 50 percent funding for security upgrades at MCO, including closed-circuit television replacements and renewals, along with annex infrastructure.

At ORL, $115,200 will provide 80 percent funding for Access Control enhancements. Both grants require matching funds from the Aviation Authority.

Additional Items

With the appointment of Ralph Martinez to the Central Florida Expressway Authority, the GOAA Board was left without a Vice Chairman. So the current members, including new appointee Tim Weisheyer, voted to fill the vacancy with City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Other items of note included a report from CEO Phil Brown, which highlighted the growth in the amount of travelers departing Orlando International Airport.

Mr. Brown told the Board that the number of departures in April 2021 was 76 percent of the total from April 2019. Departures for the first half of May 2021 was 82-85 percent of the same time frame in 2019.

“We’re seeing some major improvements, especially on the domestic side,” Brown said. “We maintain a hopeful outlook for our international traffic as some transatlantic carriers have released schedules that will start in June.”

The European Union on Wednesday agreed on a proposal to relax restrictions for travelers visiting from outside its 27 countries, welcoming vaccinated Americans and a number of other nations, including the U.K., ahead of the summer vacations. A date for when borders will reopen has not been set.

_{The information herein is provided as of the dates specified. Due to the outbreak and continuation of COVID-19 subsequent to the date of such information, the information contained herein may differ materially from the current operational and financial data.}