ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport (MCO) is introducing a brand-new biometric scanning system through a 90-day pilot program.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) CEO Lance Lyttle says that MCO has experienced significant growth in international travel, adding that in 2024, there was an increase of over 800,000 international passengers compared to 2023.

To keep up with that growth, Lyttle says they must rely on technology that can help them move passengers around more efficiently while keeping safety top of mind.

What You Need To Know

MCO launching three 90-day pilot programs designed to increase biometric exit compliance

GOAA CEO, Lance Lyttle, says this initiative is in response to the airport’s increase in international travelers

Lyttle says that last year, there was an increase in over 800,000 international passengers compared to the year before

In addition to the new biometric scanning systems, construction on the airport gate link trams began late Sunday night

This partnership between GOAA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aims to reduce passenger processing times by 60% over the course of the next five years, according to Lyttle.

Through this partnership, GOAA selected three vendors that provide technologies for biometric exit programs, which use facial recognition software to identify and track foreign travelers leaving the country. 

Among the vendors is Aware, Inc., which has been providing biometric solutions for decades to the federal government.

“This works basically with children, taller people, people in wheelchairs, different ethnic backgrounds, different physical capacities and capabilities. It’s much more inclusive technology than any other technology for being able to board an aircraft and much more secure because it’s utilizing a biometric which is anchored to your identity where all carbon-based lifeforms and identity lives in our human beings,” Aware, Inc. CEO, Ajay Amlani said.

Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations with CBP, Diane Sabatino, supports this new initiative as well.

“When we think about thousands of people that arrive at facilities every single day, seconds matter. When we think about just a couple seconds where they don’t have to get their passport, put bags down, move things, this is important to the efficiency of the entire process and not just to CBP,” Sabatino said.

This isn’t the only upgrade coming to MCO.

Construction to upgrade the airport’s gate link trams began late Sunday night.

The gate link transports passengers from security checkpoints to their gates.

The goal of this $253 million construction project there is to enhance reliability and improve safety.

And the project has a two-year time stamp on it because airport officials want to minimize disruptions to passengers as much as possible.

The goal is to replace four tracks, two on each airside, one at a time over the two-year period. That means at least one gate link on each side will continue to run during construction.

There will also be shuttle buses available 24 hours a day to get travelers to the airside. Those needing help can look for informational signs, ask staff if they need help, take the ramp outside and get on the bus. Travelers should be prepared to take those steps, especially if traveling overnight.

According to Lyttle, MCO is the busiest airport in the Sunshine State and ranked 9th busiest in the country.