MCO busiest departure airport in the country during the holidays
With stronger than expected travel numbers during the holiday season, Orlando International Airport has recovered more than 85% of its pre-COVID domestic air service destinations
Although the country’s airports were busy this holiday season, few were more active than Orlando International Airport (MCO). According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), MCO was the busiest airport in the nation for departures 18 out of the 21 holiday travel days. Over this period, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale combined made up 10% of all the departure traffic in the country.
“The 21-day holiday travel period was better than we projected at Orlando International Airport. We ranked busiest airport in the nation for departing passengers, consistently. The introduction of a vaccine to combat COVID-19 combined with pent up demand, low air fares and our emphasis on a clean and safe travel environment for our guests all contributed to the strong numbers,” states Phil Brown, CEO, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Surpassing early estimates of 775,000 people, in total, close to 900,000 passengers flew out of Orlando International for the holidays. Even with the improved holiday numbers, air traffic was down about 42% year-on-year. MCO has now recovered over 85% of its pre-COVID 19 domestic air service destinations.
