The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board authorized Wednesday airport staff to develop a landing site for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Orlando International Airport, marking an early step toward potential commercial operations by 2030.The proposed “vertistop” would be built in Surface Lot Atlantis near the airport’s train station. The small takeoff and landing pad would host eVTOL aircraft demonstrations and help officials evaluate how the emerging technology could operate near one of the nation’s busiest airports.”This is about the evolution of airport transportation and specifically integrating advance air mobility aircraft on airport in a safe and efficient manner,” Kevin Thompson, assistant vice president of planning at GOAA, told WESH 2. “Really providing passengers better connectivity and a seamless travel experience.” The project remains subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and support from the Florida Department of Transportation.Thompson said that provides an opportunity for MCO to connect a region as advance air mobility continues to make advancements in its development. GOAA plans to conduct demonstrations with the FAA, FDOT, NASA, local air traffic controllers and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The testing would also help validate approach and departure procedures previously evaluated through advanced airspace simulations.The FAA selected an FDOT proposal in March as one of eight projects participating in its eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. The three-year initiative is intended to help safely introduce advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace system.“This vertistop will play a key role in the initial phase of Advanced Air Mobility along the I-4 corridor,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said in a statement.The landing site will be designed under FAA guidance with minimal infrastructure. GOAA said it intends to develop procedures allowing eVTOL aircraft to operate without disrupting existing airport traffic.Airport officials said MCO’s large footprint and separation between its parallel runways make it a potential location for testing eVTOL operations near passenger terminals. Aircraft operating near the airport would be expected to use advanced surveillance and tracking technology to improve awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers.GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said the project is part of the authority’s effort to prepare Orlando International Airport and other Florida airports for changes in aviation.The demonstration site would also allow officials to determine whether the location is suitable for future commercial eVTOL operations. GOAA’s long-term goal is to develop a larger advanced air mobility vertiport at the airport by 2030.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board authorized Wednesday airport staff to develop a landing site for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Orlando International Airport, marking an early step toward potential commercial operations by 2030.

The proposed “vertistop” would be built in Surface Lot Atlantis near the airport’s train station. The small takeoff and landing pad would host eVTOL aircraft demonstrations and help officials evaluate how the emerging technology could operate near one of the nation’s busiest airports.

“This is about the evolution of airport transportation and specifically integrating advance air mobility aircraft on airport in a safe and efficient manner,” Kevin Thompson, assistant vice president of planning at GOAA, told WESH 2. “Really providing passengers better connectivity and a seamless travel experience.”

The project remains subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and support from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Thompson said that provides an opportunity for MCO to connect a region as advance air mobility continues to make advancements in its development.

GOAA plans to conduct demonstrations with the FAA, FDOT, NASA, local air traffic controllers and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The testing would also help validate approach and departure procedures previously evaluated through advanced airspace simulations.

The FAA selected an FDOT proposal in March as one of eight projects participating in its eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. The three-year initiative is intended to help safely introduce advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace system.

“This vertistop will play a key role in the initial phase of Advanced Air Mobility along the I-4 corridor,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said in a statement.

The landing site will be designed under FAA guidance with minimal infrastructure. GOAA said it intends to develop procedures allowing eVTOL aircraft to operate without disrupting existing airport traffic.

Airport officials said MCO’s large footprint and separation between its parallel runways make it a potential location for testing eVTOL operations near passenger terminals. Aircraft operating near the airport would be expected to use advanced surveillance and tracking technology to improve awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers.

GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said the project is part of the authority’s effort to prepare Orlando International Airport and other Florida airports for changes in aviation.

The demonstration site would also allow officials to determine whether the location is suitable for future commercial eVTOL operations. GOAA’s long-term goal is to develop a larger advanced air mobility vertiport at the airport by 2030.