The era of flying cars appears to be coming to an airport near you with Orlando International Airport adding a vertiport by 2028.
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Orlando International Airport Eyes 2028 for eVTOL Vertiport
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is betting big on the future of air travel, laying the groundwork for a vertiport that could make Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft a reality. While commercial air travelers won’t be swapping their boarding passes for an air taxi just yet, MCO is taking concrete steps to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into its long-term infrastructure plans.
The airport hasn’t said as much just yet, but it seems likely that this is an attempt to both be on the forefront of future technological development and provide “last mile” transportation to area resorts, convention centers, and theme parks. The “last mile” has long ben used in shipping terms for describing the network distribution of packages outside of delivery centers (the Amazon driver that leaves the distribution center and arrives at your door.)
MCO’s Next Big Move: A Vertiport for the Future
This week at a Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Board meeting, officials put forward a procurement agenda item aimed at securing partners to develop and operate a vertiport at MCO. The Invitation to Negotiate (ITN), set to go live in March, will seek potential developers who can turn the airport’s vision into reality. The agency is, of course, waiting for bids to determine its feasibility and budget and didn’t provide any approximate guidance for costs.
For years, GOAA has collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies to explore how eVTOL aircraft could fit into MCO’s operations. The vertiport will be an interesting piece of the puzzle, ensuring the airport stays ahead of the curve as AAM technology advances.
Where Will It Be Built?
Two locations are currently under consideration:
- East Airfield Region – A northeast parcel of undeveloped land that could serve as the first site for AAM infrastructure.
- South Side Near the Train Station – Another area under review, offering potential connectivity with existing transportation options.
Whatever the final location, GOAA is making it clear that the facility must be designed to accommodate FAA-certified eVTOL aircraft ready for commercial operations. I would have bet that the New York City market would have been the first to implement, but LaGuardia and JFK continue construction and the airspace faces greater challenges than MCO.
It’s another reminder that the GOAA sees itself as a transportation hub not just as an airport, especially with the Bright Line train services that will take visitors to Tampa in the future, and already transport them to Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Optimism, But A Long Way Off
“Developing a vertiport at Orlando International Airport is a key step in advancing our mission to be the global leader in the evolution of mobility,” said Kevin J. Thibault, GOAA CEO. “This project directly supports our vision to drive innovation and position Central Florida and the state at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility.” – FlyMCO
This is an optimistic and ambitious but not impossible timeline, assuming eVTOL aircraft gain FAA certification and regulatory hurdles don’t slow things down. But without a single flying AAM, it seems less than realistic.
Conclusion
With 2028 as the target date for the vertiport and a new CEO likely stepping in by spring, big changes are coming to MCO. Whether eVTOLs will truly revolutionize short-haul travel remains to be seen, but Orlando is taking steps to be at the forefront of the next stage in aviation and could be a leader in the space simply by being first.
What do you think?
eVTOL ? No thanks .
Helicopters ? No thanks .
Normal airplanes ? OK .
Yeah, suuuuuure. Fat chance.
2028? Unlikely. But the ride from MCO to Disney world feels much longer than it should. Also did I read Disney is adopting surge pricing and park visitors will not know the admission cost prior to arrival?
Besides helicopters, or maybe the military’s V22 Osprey, is there even a single aircraft that needs this facility and has a even a remote chance at being operational in 3 years? Maybe 30, but this sounds like just another way to enrich our consultant class at taxpayer expense.