Orlando International Airport Responds to Planned Lifting of International Travel Restrictions
ORLANDO, FL. – Orlando International Airport welcomes the announcement of changes to international travel policy announced today by the Biden administration. Foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status. Passengers will still be required to provide a pre-departure negative test taken within three days of boarding their flight to the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control has already informed airlines that all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized vaccines, as well as Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) will be accepted for travel. Airports Council International (ACI) expects guidance to be released to airports and airlines on October 25, to allow airports time to prepare and coordinate locally.
“We view pent up travel demand as a global phenomenon. We are eagerly anticipating the return of transatlantic air service in the coming weeks,” says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Prior to the pandemic, international service made up approximately 14 percent of our overall traffic. After October 25th we will have a much clearer idea of how the new rules and regulations will impact our operations at Orlando International Airport.”
Orlando International has already received notice from several international carriers that they intend to resume transatlantic service to MCO as soon as possible in early November.