The Orlando International Airport is embarking upon a $253 million project to replace four aging trams that connect terminals A and B with airline gates.
Airport officials expect minimal disruptions during the overhaul that starts Dec. 3 and should last two years.
Most passengers will find the project means only a few minutes added to journeys during normal operations, they said. But from time to time, travelers may need to take a shuttle bus, particularly if their flight arrives between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Travelers using rental car or ground transportation services should allow an additional 30 minutes in their pickup planning, airport officials added.
Southwest passengers will see the first effects with one of the two trams connecting many of the airline’s gates to the main terminals soon taken out of service.
The trams being replaced have traveled more than 5 million miles, a distance equivalent to 200 trips around the Earth. The oldest tram dates to 2000.
“These have reached their useful life,” said Marquez Griffin, senior vice president of operations for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees the Orlando airport. “It is time for us to replace them — get us something newer, something more modern … something that will provide a better customer experience.”
The first part of the project will affect travelers with flights at Gates 100-129, known as Airside 2. Work is being done in phases so one tram will remain operational at Airside 2 while the other is being replaced.
Jean Lopez, an assistant manager at Orlando International Airport, talks about the new Cobus 3000 bus Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The bus will be put into use to move passengers from Airside 2 to Airside 4 during the upcoming tram replacement construction at OIA that begins Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
The interior of a new Cobus 3000 bus at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 205. The bus will be put into use to move passengers from Airside 2 to Airside 4 during the upcoming tram replacement construction at OIA that begins Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
A 25-year-old Bombardier CX-100 tram arrives at Airside 2 at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Upcoming tram replacement construction begins at OIA Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
A 25-year-old Bombardier CX-100 tram passes over a new Cobus 3000 bus on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The bus will be put into use to move passengers from Airside 2 to Airside 4 during the upcoming tram replacement construction at OIA that begins Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Passengers ride a 25-year-old Bombardier CX-100 tram into Airside 2 at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Upcoming tram replacement construction begins at OIA Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
A 25-year-old Bombardier CX-100 tram arrives at Airside 2 at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Upcoming tram replacement construction begins at OIA Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Passengers ride a 25-year-old Bombardier CX-100 tram into Airside 2 at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.Upcoming tram replacement construction begins at OIA Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the aging older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
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Jean Lopez, an assistant manager at Orlando International Airport, talks about the new Cobus 3000 bus Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. The bus will be put into use to move passengers from Airside 2 to Airside 4 during the upcoming tram replacement construction at OIA that begins Dec. 3. The $253 million project will replace the older trains with brand new Mitsubishi Gate Link trams and will take two years to complete. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Once that wraps up in December 2026, work will begin on the two trams servicing Gates 70-99, known as Airside 4, according to the project’s timeline. Those gates are used by Delta and several international carriers.
A shuttle bus connecting the two sets of trams will be available to travelers as a contingency plan. During the first phase, this will give travelers the option of taking a shuttle bus from Airside 2 to the Airside 4 trams, which they can take to the main terminals. Airport officials say customer support staff will help guide passengers.
That system will be reversed when work begins on the Airside 4 trams.
Passengers ride a 25-year-old tram into Airside 2 at Orlando International Airport, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
The new trams, manufactured by Mitsubishi, can accommodate up to 240 passengers. They are similar to those that were placed into operation in 2017 for Gates 1-59.
The project, which has a target completion date of October 2027, also includes the replacement of the trams’ supporting infrastructure, operating systems, power distribution equipment, vehicle controls, communication systems and platform screen doors.