My travel helps grow Orlando International Airport
As the gateway to the most visited region in the country, Orlando International Airport (MCO) welcomes more than 46 million annual passengers and generates more than $31 billion in economic impact for Central Florida. It is imperative that we strive not merely to maintain the status quo but to expand and enhance.
Central Florida's globally dominant hospitality industry combined with our aerospace, aviation, defense, advanced manufacturing, innovative technology and life sciences sectors drive the local economy and support tens of thousands of jobs. Accordingly, expanding international air service has always been one of the authority's highest priorities. Without diverse and affordable air service, the Central Florida economy cannot continue to expand.
The addition of new airlines and destinations provides energy for stimulating the region's burgeoning, multifaceted economy. Attracting new air service is not an unusual role for an airport and its leadership.
The Orlando Economic Partnership has noted that Orlando International Airport's extensive nonstop air service is a major attraction to businesses looking to relocate to Central Florida. The more options for business and leisure travel, the greater the economic benefit for Central Florida. In the past six years, Orlando International Airport has added service to 103 domestic and 65 international destinations. On average, international flights generate approximately $122 million in annual revenue and domestic flights, an estimated $72 million.
Since 2012 when I became chairman, the airport has added new international carriers like Emirates, Norwegian Air, Volaris, Azul, Edelweiss, Icelandair and Wow, along with exciting destinations like Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Paris; Amsterdam; Oslo, Norway; Zurich; Belfast, Ireland; Lima, Peru; Sao Paulo; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
As a result of GOAA trips to Dubai, Chile and Panama, agreements were secured with Emirates Air ($100 million annual impact) and LATAM ($68 million annual impact) for new service and Copa for expanded service. No tax dollars were used for any of these trips.
In order to continue developing new partnerships and building lasting relationships, reaching out to international airlines and meeting with their executives and government officials are critical. Surveys have shown that travelers are interested in emerging markets in Asia, Africa and South America. So we must remain active in exploring service options to Japan, China, India and other unserved or underserved destinations.
As chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, I have the responsibility to put the welfare of Orlando International Airport and the prosperity of Central Florida at the forefront, while promoting the tremendous connectivity benefits that Orlando International provides to the community.
However, despite our history of sound fiscal policy and measured approach to expanding our route portfolio, there are those who question the need for personal, hands-on management of the airport's growth.
I have been personally involved in promoting Central Florida since my tenure as president of Orlando's chamber of commerce, and I have seen the direct benefit of community leaders from both government and business establishing relationships with leaders from other countries including airline leadership. In many cases, it takes years to realize new airline service. Airlines' senior management takes Orlando more seriously when top leaders engage them and tell the Orlando story.