Press

ORLANDO, FL. – Orlando International Airport (MCO) will resume limited commercial operations and passenger activity after 8:00 p.m. tonight and will return to normal operations with arrivals and departures starting tomorrow morning.

Damage assessment teams have inspected all airport facilities inside and out and have determined that MCO is safe and ready to welcome back guests in the wake of Hurricane Nicole. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) works with many partners at the local, state and federal levels to ensure safety during this reopening process.

“It is a complex process to cease and resume operations at an airport,” says Kevin Thibault, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Our facilities are ready but many of our stakeholders and their staffs are not. The storm was forecasted to last much longer than it did, so recalling employees for concessions, rental cars and support positions has been challenging.”

As a result, MCO will operate on a limited capacity with no departures tonight.

The Latest Information:

• Passengers are advised to contact their individual airlines and rental car companies for specific questions about flights, schedules and rental car return policies before coming to the airport.
• Damage from Hurricane Nicole was minimal to airport facilities and infrastructure.
• Since Orlando International Airport is NOT a shelter, a total of 68 passengers were transported from MCO to authorized shelter facilities before the storm hit Central Florida.
• Returning to normal operations is hampered by recalling employees in every aspect of your travel journey, from rental cars to concessions to baggage handlers and support staff.
• In total, 1484 flights were cancelled at MCO during the two day weather event.

This will be the FINAL scheduled Bulletin for Hurricane Nicole from Orlando International Airport.