ORLANDO, Fla. – The long-awaited Terminal C pedestrian bridge opened Wednesday at Orlando International Airport, realizing a project previously cut during pandemic-era budget reductions.
The bridge — featuring two sets of 90-foot-long moving walkways that will be extended once the entire project, including the Rental Car Lobby and a third set of walkways, opens in 2026 — connects Terminal C with the train station and the Terminal Link, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said in a news release.
The bridge was in the original design for Terminal C was but removed as a cost-saving measure when the COVID-19 pandemic hit construction projects, the release states.
[PAST COVERAGE: ‘Coming soon’ pedestrian bridge delayed again as contractor payment dispute continues]
“The Pedestrian Bridge represents both progress and a promise,” Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said in a statement. “By opening this new access, we are delivering greater convenience to our passengers and meeting their expectations of a world-class airport.”
In other happenings at Terminal C, what’s being called the “Phase 1 gate expansion” will “increase capacity and streamline the travel process across the entire airport complex” by adding four boarding piers to accommodate eight narrow-body aircraft and, potentially, even more moving walkways, according to the GOAA.
Terminal C primarily serves international airlines. For 2024, MCO saw an increase in international travel with nearly 800,000 more passengers moving through its terminals compared to 2023.
MCO is currently ranked the busiest airport in Florida; the 9th busiest in the U.S.; and the 25th busiest in the world.
FlyMCO.com