ORLANDO, Florida – Orlando International Airport (MCO) is expected to reach a record 60 million passenger traffic by the end of 2024, remaining the state’s busiest airport.

Airports Council International – North America has released rankings for 2023 that place Orlando International as the seventh-busiest airport in the country. Miami International Airport was the only other Florida airport to make the top 10 (at number 10), while Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida ranked 18th and Tampa International Airport ranked 29th.

In 2023, Orlando International Airport welcomed more than 57 million passengers, up 15.1% from the previous year.

Total number of passengers in 2023 at MCO:

• Domestic USA: 57,735,726 (increase of 13.6%)
• International: 7,024,086 (plus 26.7%)

Orlando International and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International are the only two airports in the top 10 list that do not serve as hubs for major airlines, but are rather considered destination airports.

At times, MCO will allow at least 45 airlines to offer over 850 flights daily to hundreds of cities in the United States and abroad.

North American Airport Traffic Overview 2023 (Passengers):

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 104.6 million
2. Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW): 81.7 million
3. Denver International Airport (DEN): 77.8 million
4. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 75 million
5. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD): 73.8 million
6. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 62.4 million
7. Orlando International Airport (MCO): 57.7 million
8. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): 57.6 million
9. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): 53.4 million
10. Miami International Airport (MIA): 52.3 million

MCO prepares for the future

As first reported in May 2024, Orlando International Airport is planning major renovation projects to accommodate the increasing number of passengers. In addition to adding eight more gates and building a pedestrian bridge at the newer Terminal C, MCO is also planning a multi-million dollar renovation of the original Terminal A and Terminal B buildings.

Related: Orlando International Airport prepares for terminal upgrades

The focus of the renovation, estimated at $40 million, is on the interior of Gates 1 and 3 and Levels 1 and 3 of Terminals A and B, which make up the North Terminal complex.

MCO is accepting bids for the terminal renovation project until September 16.

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault says there are plans to address frequent parking complaints, including expanding parking spaces available by reservation after adding thousands of new spaces last year.

MCO has also just put out a bid for a new parking guidance system. It is expected to be similar to the system in places like Disney Springs. Using lights and indicators, the system will tell drivers how many parking spaces are available and show exactly where those open spaces are located. The contract for this project is expected to be awarded in December.

A long-term goal, possibly by the end of the decade, Thibault said, is to build a consolidated car rental facility accessible by the existing people mover tram system. This would free up parking spaces in garages A, B and C, which are currently occupied by the car rental companies.

Tourism in Florida is increasing

Another sign that Florida’s tourism has returned to pre-pandemic levels is the record number of second-quarter visitors announced Friday for the months of April, May and June.

So far in 2024, more than 75.7 million people have visited Florida, an increase of 1.3%.

• 2024 Q1 (January, February, March): 40.5 million visitors
• 2024 Q2 (April, May, June): 34.2 million visitors
• 2023: Q1 (January, February, March): 40.1 million visitors
• 2023 Q2 (April, May, June): 33.4 million visitors
• 2023 Q3 (July, August, September): 33.9 million visitors
• 2023 Q4 (October, November, December): 32.8 million visitors