ORLANDO, Fla. — The holiday travel season may be winding down at Orlando International Airport, but airport officials say the busiest days are still ahead.
What You Need To Know
Orlando International Airport expects over 350,000 passengers this weekend
More than 196,000 passengers are projected each day
Travelers should arrive early and plan for crowds
MCO is preparing for what it says could be the most crowded weekend of the entire holiday travel season, with hundreds of thousands of passengers expected to move through the airport over the next few days as travelers head home.
Airport officials say they were expecting over 350,000 total passengers moving through MCO during this final stretch of holiday travel. Jan. 3 was projected to be the single busiest day of the entire holiday period, with more than 196,000 passengers arriving and departing. Sunday, Jan. 4, follows closely behind.
“We all know that Orlando is a popular destination and that our population has grown over the past several years,” said Angela Starke with Orlando International Airport. “So, this has just prompted more people to come to Orlando and use the airport.”
Travelers are already adjusting their plans to prepare for the crowds.
“I am here much earlier than usual,” said traveler Morgan Gaines.
Another traveler, Kathleen Vergnolle, says her family also arrived to the airport early.
“We travel with chaos, but my husband does like to come to the airport early,” Vergnolle said.
The spike in passengers comes as the airport continues a major gate link replacement project near gates 100 through 129. Officials say most passengers should expect no more than a 15-minute impact, even during peak travel hours, though some travelers may need to use shuttle buses in that area.
Airport officials are urging travelers to plan ahead.
“We always say pack your patience and we really mean that because it is going to be crowded,” Starke said. “We do plan to have a projection of more passengers this holiday season than last holiday season.”
MCO officials remind travelers to give themselves plenty of time to check in luggage, get through TSA, and monitor their flight status ahead of arrival to avoid delays during this busy travel weekend.
Caribbean flights canceled
The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country early Saturday has disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region.
Flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and other destinations near Venezuela were canceled. The airlines are waiving change fees for passengers who have to reschedule their flights this weekend.
The FAA had earlier said it imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport and surrounding regions.
An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan posted on the social media site X said restrictions were put in place because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.
As a result, most commercial airlines to and from the airport that are operated by U.S. airlines have been suspended or may be canceled.
Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not included in this restriction, the statement said. “Passengers are urged to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport.”