ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Despite that, there is uncertainty about the future of one type of travel as COVID-19 continues: medical tourism. Experts worry the United States’ initial response to COVID-19 may make this type of travel slow to make a comeback. Halfway across the world in his homeland of Romania, Alex was a happy, rowdy little boy; until one day, he wasn’t. “We chose to go in the United States, because we chose the doctors, and in fact as a parent, you want the best for your kids. “COVID can be challenging when it comes to travel restrictions,” Dr. Elbabaa said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Avelo Airlines announced Thursday that it will add a third base and integrated state-of-the-art Flight Crew training program at Orlando International Airport. Avelo Airlines Founder, Andrew Levy, said establishing a new base of operations in Orlando expands new opportunities for growth. Read: Orlando International Airport targets LEED certification for new terminal“Avelo is poised for continued growth as we add more planes, more crewmembers, more destinations and more bases - including our new base in Orlando”, Levy said. The airline also announced that it will be adding three new routes to Orlando, giving 10 nonstop destinations from Orlando International by the end of 2022. 🌊✈️: https://t.co/jxaDw1v5ER pic.twitter.com/rCnothBm69 — Orlando International Airport (@MCO) April 26, 2022Read: MSC Seaside to call Port Canaveral home starting April 2023The airline expects to create or contribute to at least 150 Orlando-based jobs over the next year.

More than 9,000 flights were delayed or canceled earlier this month.

ORLANDO, Fla. — As Orlando International Airport prepares to open its new terminal C later this year, airport officials have set their sights on becoming one of the first LEED-certified campuses in the world. Read: ‘C’ you soon: Here’s when Terminal C at OIA opens“It was critical from the start that however we expanded our footprint we did so in an environmentally sound way,” Ruohomaki said. Read: “We’re getting real close”: New terminal at Orlando International Airport nearing completionKevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said it is important for the airport to lead the way in sustainability. Read: New, innovative terminal set to open at OIA this yearWhen complete, South Terminal C will encompass 300 acres, add 15 new gates and allow for an additional 10-12 million passengers annually. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 South Terminal C Channel 9 got a sneak peek at Orlando International Airport's new South Terminal C project on Monday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — An official opening date for Orlando International Airport’s South Terminal C has been announced. The terminal will open over a two-week period, with international operations beginning Sept. 19 and domestic operations beginning Sept. 26, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced during Wednesday’s board meeting. “As we get closer to those dates we will notify the board and the community on various milestones, as well as events to commemorate this exciting opportunity.”The new terminal costs $2.75 billion. “We want to ensure that from day one, Terminal C will be ready to accommodate our growing air service demands while providing the utmost in customer service,” board chairman Carson Good said in a news release. ©2022 Cox Media Group

Orlando International Airport CEO announces Terminal C will open starting Sept. 19, 2022.

Shortly after a Florida judge struck down the CDC's mask mandate on planes, trains and buses, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced that they won't...

After a federal judge in Florida voided a national on airplanes and mass transit, masks are now optional at Orlando International Airport.

ORLANDO, Fla. — We’re expecting to see more long lines at the Orlando International Airport. The airport saw big crowds all weekend long as people flew out to their Easter destinations. The Transportation Security Administration said this was one of the busiest travel weekends in three years. READ: 7 last-minute tax filing tips for 2022On Sunday, the lines at OIA were back to the food court at one point. “We’ve never really experienced big lines like this,” a passenger told Channel 9.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Flight attendants for Spirit Airlines said they are not happy with some of the conditions they face on the job. WATCH: Travelers face surge of flight delays, cancelations at Orlando International AirportSeveral flight attendants grabbed signs this week and protested outside of Orlando International Airport. Union leaders said recent cancellations left flight attendants working long hours, dealing with disgruntled passengers. Photos: Flight attendants at Orlando International Airport protest working conditionsExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Flight attendants at Orlando International Airport protest working conditionsLast week, Spirit canceled more than 30% of its flights, which was the fourth mass cancellation since August. WATCH: Orlando International Airport sees a surge of spring break travelersSpirit has promised to improve the working conditions.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport is seeing big crowds as people travel to their holiday weekend destinations. READ: Easter 2022: Brace for headaches during holiday travel weekendIf you’re flying out Saturday, be prepared to see long lines and packed flights. Channel 9 reporter Phylicia Ashley was out at Orlando International Airport on Saturday morning, including for some of the peak travel times. Photos: Orlando International Airport sees big crowds during Easter holiday weekendExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 10 Orlando International Airport sees big crowds during Easter holiday weekendDue to the crowds, the best time to make it from check-in to your gate is three hours. Data shows 25% of Americans will travel this weekend with the addition of spring breakers and Easter travelers.

Orlando International Airport is in the state’s lead as Florida airports continue to rank in the nation’s top 10 every year for where passengers are most often stopped at checkpoints with a gun.

Why did this alligator cross the road? Maybe it was late for its flight.

The U.S. has repeatedly extended the mask mandate during the pandemic.

Orlando International Airport is not only one of the busiest airports in the U.S., but it is now one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The new South Terminal “C” at Orlando International Airport is just months away from opening to passengers. READ: Passenger fined nearly $82,000 for ‘unruly behavior’ on flight“This terminal will be beyond the Orlando experience,” Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault said. We’re getting a sneak peek inside @MCO’s South Terminal C. Construction is more than 90% complete. “When we’re fully done with terminal C, it can handle 60 million passengers.”Ruohomaki says Phase One of the project includes 15 gates that can accommodate up to 20 airplanes. “It takes about four and a half minutes for the bags to get up to the top of the bag clam unit,” Ruohomaki said.

The new $2.8 billion terminal will rely heavily on the latest technology to deliver the "Orlando experience."

Workers with Spirit Airlines shouted, "enough is enough" on Monday as they walked with yellow signs that read "contract violations must end now" outside Orlando International Airport.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport continues to see a rebound in passenger traffic for the second straight month. According to airport officials, nearly 3.6 million domestic and international passengers traveled through OIA in February, an increase of 83% from the same period in 2021. Video: Dry weather forecast to start the week in Central FloridaOrlando saw domestic traffic climb to 3,360,202 passengers, a more than 72% increase from 2021.International traffic also saw an increase from last year, with 278,266 passengers arriving and departing. Central Florida Spotlight: Orange County penny sales taxThanks to the unofficial start of the Spring Break travel season and Speed Weeks festivities in Daytona, the increased traffic pushed passenger totals to over 7 million passengers for 2022. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The number of passengers passing through Orlando International Airport more than doubled from January to February, airport officials said Tuesday. Data shows the airport saw a total of 3.4 million passengers in January and 7.1 million in February. Officials said they’re crediting the increase to speed week competitions in Central Florida as well as the unofficial start to the spring break travel season. The airport said Air Transat resuming service to Canada and Frontier adding service to Ft. Lauderdale also helped boost numbers. ©2022 Cox Media Group

Air travelers in the U.S. are getting a break after a bad weekend that left thousands of flyers stranded.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Nearly 80 flights were canceled on Monday morning at Orlando International Airport after a weekend of chaos. JetBlue and Spirit canceled one-third of their scheduled flights on Sunday because of weather issues. Bad storms on Saturday mixed with technical problems and “air space congestion” led to more than 3,500 canceled flights nationwide. Orlando and other Florida airports led the way because of weekend storms. Southwest told Channel 9 that many of its flights were canceled because of a technical problem, so it is allowing passengers to reschedule for free.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sunday starts off pleasant with temperatures in the 60s and patchy fog in some areas. A dense fog advisory is in place for parts of Seminole and Volusia counties this morning until 10 a.m.Sanford and Deland will see the thickest fog Sunday morning. Skies will clear by Sunday afternoon, and we will see sunny skies. Read: Travelers face surge of flight delays, cancellations at Orlando International AirportTemperatures will reach the upper 70s and low 80s. Read: 2 struck by lightning while leaving Yankees spring training game in Tampa, police sayChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Travelers at Orlando International Airport faced massive delays and flight cancellations Saturday. READ: Orlando International Airport sees a surge of spring break travelersThe airport alerted passengers that it was experiencing delays and cancellations due to the severe storms that move through most of the afternoon, but some said the wait times seemed out of control. Photos: Travelers face surge of flight delays, cancellations at Orlando International AirportExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Travelers face surge of flight delays, cancellations at Orlando International AirportSouthwest said it experienced technical issues in the morning that were resolved by 7 a.m., but things have gotten worse due to the weather delays building throughout the day. It’s unclear how long it will take for flights to get back to normal at Orlando International Airport. READ: Pet Alliance is kicking off April with the purr-fect way to help our feline friendsChannel 9 has a crew at Orlando International Airport and will have continuing coverage on Eyewitness News.

On Saturday, long lines at Southwest could be seen wrapping around to the lobby, with some passengers saying they’ve been in line for more than four hours.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando International Airport is showcasing female artists from Florida in a new exhibit. The exhibit, “Timeless Florida: Women Artists from the GOAA Collection,” includes paintings, prints, mixed media pottery and fiber that evoke a sense of natural Florida. The exhibit will be open through the summer. READ: New York firm buys resort on Walt Disney World propertyTravelers can view it in the main terminal on the third level near checkpoint gates 70-129. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Several flights flying into Orlando International Airport were canceled or delayed Thursday evening due to Florida storms, according to Southwest Airlines.

A man accused of attacking a woman inside of a restroom at Orlando International Airport was hit with new charges Tuesday as court records revealed a second attack at the airport.

Erin Jackson, Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia all won medals at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in speed skating.

A judge issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for a New Jersey woman who appeared in a viral video riding a motorized suitcase through Orlando International Airport while being pursued by a police officer.

The busiest day ever could come in the next few weeks, with spring break travel peaking April 9.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Brightline has passed another milestone for its $2.7 billion, 170-mile extension between Orlando International Airport and West Palm Beach. The work comes as Brightline completed a 3.5-mile segment near Orlando International Airport in February, the first segment of the project to wrap up construction. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Read: 6-year-old among two hurt in Orlando shootingExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 29 Brightline train©2022 Cox Media Group

An Orlando police officer is demanding an airline passenger accused of unruly behavior receive, at minimum, a sentence of supervised probation if she enters into a plea deal with prosecutors over an incident that’s become the subject of a viral video.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport is seeing a rush of spring break travelers this weekend. WATCH: Spring break crowds in full swing at Daytona BeachAirport officials expect Saturday to be the fifth-busiest day of the spring break travel season. Photos: Orlando International Airport sees a surge of spring break travelersExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 11 Orlando International Airport sees a surge of spring break travelersOIA recommends getting to the airport at least two hours before your flight, especially if you’re traveling on a weekend. Airport leaders said OIA will see more than 7 million travelers during the spring break season. By comparison in 2019, Orlando International Airport reported around 7.4 million travelers during that time frame.

On Monday, a group of Republicans filed a lawsuit to end what they described as an “illegal” mask mandate for individuals traveling on commercial airlines. FAA data shows the mask mandate is the leading cause of unruly passenger complaints. The data shows unruly passenger incidents are happening about six times per every 10,000 flights. READ: Airplane, public transportation COVID-19 mask mandates extended“There’s clearly a connection between the masks and the unruly passenger,” Price said. More than 70% of the roughly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021 were mask related.

According to AAA, people in Florida are paying an average price of $4.34 a gallon, down slightly from last week’s record-setting $4.38 per gallon.

The monthly Oviedo Brewing Night Market will be happening this Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Oviedo Brewing Company.

A 20-year-old man was likely bitten by a shark in Volusia County, beach officials say.

Several flights were delayed or cancelled at Orlando International Airport on Sunday, leaving many passengers frustrated.

Winter weather across the East Coast has caused many Southwest Airlines flights to be cancelled, diverted or delayed. Passengers at Orlando International Airport said it’s been a frustrating experience sleeping at the airport. Read: Russia attacks Ukraine: Video journalist Brent Renaud killed in UkraineWilliams said her new flight is scheduled for later tonight. MacKenzie Seonebraker said she has had three flights cancelled in the past day. Read: Russian ballet studio in Orlando receives threats despite being owned by Ukrainian family“Our initial flight was at 12:20 yesterday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport is warning travelers today’s severe storms could cause delays this afternoon. But the severe weather rolling through Central Florida could cause ground stoppages at OIA this afternoon. Weather Alert ⛈️ Due to thunderstorms throughout the day, airline ops may be impacted with flight delays/cancellations and baggage delivery delays. For airport delays, visit: https://t.co/vm0yMYHkcv https://t.co/NNiIKDuWyp — Orlando International Airport (@MCO) March 12, 2022READ: Airport officials prepare for record number of passengers during Spring BreakLast year, Orlando International registered 5.2 million passengers during the spring break travel period. This year, more than 7 million passengers are expected to travel through Orlando during that same time frame.

Several congressional Democrats are raising doubts about the proposed merger of Frontier and Spirit airlines.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. A planned development may lead to 800 apartments rising just north of Orlando International Airport and south of Airport Lakes Park. A project description outlines a four-building project that spans two phases and 1,436 parking spaces. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. DeSantis fires back at ‘woke Disney’ after CEO opposes Parental Rights in Education bill©2022 Cox Media Group

Police arrested a man Sunday after he was accused of attacking and assaulting a woman inside a bathroom at Orlando International Airport, according to the department.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A woman says a man pulled out a knife at Orlando International Airport and dragged her in a bathroom stall Sunday. The woman who accused the man of attacking her said she feared for her life. The tourist told police she was inside the hotel bathroom washing her hands when, out of nowhere, a man was standing behind her in the mirror, likely hiding in a stall when she came in. In a separate incident the day before, sources said a man with a similar description attacked an airport employee in a different bathroom inside Terminal B around 5:45 a.m. Sources: 10-year-old used AirDrop to send hijacking prank on flight at OIADamani was charged with attempted robbery, attempted kidnapping and attempted battery with a weapon.

Someone onboard an Alaska Airlines flight airdropped a message to another passenger that was treated as a potential threat, according to federal sources.

ORLANDO, Fla. — A woman whom police said assaulted an officer at Orlando International Airport and tried to get away on a motorized suitcase, is set to stand trial on Monday. It’s getting crazy,” said a police officer on body camera video, who tried to catch up to Chelsea Alston after she assaulted an officer. READ: Drunk woman causes scene at OIA, tries to get away on motorized suitcase, police sayOfficers said Alston screamed and cursed at employees for being denied boarding a flight. Alston is facing charges for disorderly conduct and assaulting an officer. READ: Sources: 10-year-old used AirDrop to send hijacking message as a prank on flight at OIAHer trial starts Monday morning after she rejected a plea deal.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials at the Orlando International Airport confirmed Sunday night that a flight from Seattle was boarded by police after a prank caused a scare. READ: ‘Out of control:’ Gas prices averaging $4 per gallon nationwideInitial reports indicate that there was a prank and no active threat, officials said. Airport officials did not confirm what caused the fight to be boarded by law enforcement. WATCH: ‘The perfect storm’: Massive wildfire forces evacuation of 600 homes in Florida PanhandleChannel 9 has a crew working to gather more information and will have continuing coverage on Eyewitness News. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

A potential threat at Orlando International Airport turns out to be a prank made by a 10-year-old on an airplane.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials with Orlando International Airport are expecting near-record passenger traffic during this year’s spring break period. Tom Draper with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority says contrary to what many may think, the weeks between Feb. 27 and April 19 are some of the busiest at Orlando International Airport. READ: Bike Week 2022 coming to Daytona Beach: 9 things you need to knowLast year, Orlando International registered 5.2 million passengers during the spring break travel period. Read: 9 things to do this weekend: Bike Week begins, MORE THAN PINK Walk and moreThis year, more than 7 million passengers are expected to travel through Orlando during that same time frame. Officials said just like on other busy days, people flying in or out of Orlando should arrive at least three hours before their flight.

Ponce is on Puerto Rico’s southern coast and is the U.S. territory’s second-largest city.

A New Jersey woman accused of repeatedly spitting on an Orlando International Airport police officer and damaging his patrol car turned down a prosecutor’s plea offer that would have spared her jail time.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport (MCO) was the busiest airport in the nation this weekend, according to the Transportation Security Administration. According to the TSA, on Saturday, MCO was the busiest airport in the nation for departures with over 78,287 passengers. Meanwhile, on Sunday, MCO was the nation’s fourth-busiest airport with more than 74,772 passengers, making this weekend the busiest in the COVID-19 era. Read: Police: 5 people injured after 3 drive-by shootings in MelbourneMCO saw 40,577 and 44,642 passengers respectively on the same days last year, which is an 80% increase over last year. Read: Target to set starting wage as high as $24 an hourThe airport’s all-time record is 90,804 travelers, which was registered on March 16, 2019.

A wild scene went down at Orlando International Airport last week that was caught on camera.

A Louisiana man was taken off a Southwest flight at Orlando International Airport Thursday after he reportedly became irate over being forced to wear a mask, according to an arrest affidavit.

A man shocked and handcuffed after a wild scene played out an Orlando International Airport gate, cell phone video of the event showed.,

ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s a new airline offering low-cost flight options from Orlando International Airport to select European cities. PLAY airlines launched its ticket sales from Orlando on Wednesday, with tickets starting at $129. The low fare will be available for flights from Orlando made in a round-trip booking for select dates until Feb. 27 at midnight. Officials said the Icelandic airline will operate flights to Orlando three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and from Orlando on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. @PlayAirlines, a low-cost Icelandic airline, will start service from Reykjavík (KEF) to MCO on September 30, 2022!

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport (MCO) is set to open a new terminal this year that will highlight innovation, technology and sustainability, and bring millions of more travelers through its gates. The new three-level terminal, South Terminal C, will encompass 300 acres and add 15 new gates to the airport and will allow for an additional 10-12 million passengers annually. Read: FDOT announces opening date for I-4 Ultimate express lanesIncoming passengers will enjoy top-floor arrivals with streamlined luggage collection on the same level. Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C is designed for people. The project is nearly 90% complete and will open later this year.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Police said a woman caused a scene while drunk at Orlando International Airport and tried to get away on a motorized suitcase. READ: Man dies in apparent bulldozer accident at Volusia County landfillBody camera video shows police trying to catch up to Chelsea Alston. According to a report, Alston slammed her forehead into a wall as she resisted arrest. READ: Florida House passes bill to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancyAlston faces charges for disorderly conduct and assaulting an officer. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Officials say Florida’s secretary of transportation is stepping down to take over as CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline announced that it has completed its first major construction zone on its 170-mile extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport. The high-speed rail company said Zone 2 is a 3.5-miles-long section on Brightline’s corridor leading into OIA. Brightline officials said it was one of the most complex and challenging areas of construction in the entire project. Photos: Brightline completes first major construction zoneExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 Brightline construction (Brightline)“The completion of Zone 2 is a major milestone for the Brightline construction and engineering team as we continue to work towards the completion of the corridor to Orlando from West Palm Beach,” said Donald Jello, project manager at Brightline. PHOTOS: Tour Central Florida’s 1st Brightline trainBeginning in 2023, the trains will travel through the airport corridor at 35 mph before heading east along SR 528 towards Cocoa where they will reach top speeds of 125 mph, according to Brightline.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 traffic anchor Alexa Lorenzo got an tour of Central Florida’s first Brightline train. The train is state-of-the-art and Vice President and Mechanical Engineer Tom Rutkowski couldn’t be prouder. PHOTOS: Tour Central Florida’s 1st Brightline train“This is luxury travel at its finest,” Rutkowski said. READ: ‘It’s phenomenal’: 1st Brightline train arrives at OrlandoExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 29 Brightline train“Where hospitality meets transportation,” Rutkowski said. “We’re 72% complete as of today,” said Michael Cegelis, executive vice president.

An intoxicated passenger who was barred from boarding an airplane at OIA rode away from the gate on a motorized suitcase as a police officer on a bicycle followed behind her, court records and newly released video shows.

Newly shared video from Orlando Police Department shows one of the strangest police chases we've ever seen. In the clip, an OPD officer on a...

Dozens of airline passengers have been arrested for disorderly conduct and violent behavior at Orlando International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, records obtained by News 6 show.

Orlando International Airport is flying past its competition and landing in the spot of 7th busiest airport in the U.S., according to data released by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Monday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — More passengers flew in and out of Orlando International Airport last year than any other airport in the state, officials said Monday. Airport officials said 40.3 million passengers traveled through OIA in 2021, up more than 86% from 2020. That number is still down from pre-pandemic levels when it saw 50.6 million travelers in 2019. “I expect 2022 to be another year of growth for Orlando and the region.”READ: TSA seizes record number of guns in 2021, OIA ranks in top 10The 2021 numbers also boosted OIA from the ninth busiest airport in the country, up to seventh. Airport officials said domestic travel jumped 92% over 2020 and international travel increased 20.5%.

Officials say a disruptive passenger prompted a flight from New York to Florida to divert to a North Carolina airport.

A disruptive passenger prompted a flight from New York to Florida to divert to a North Carolina airport Wednesday night, officials said. Frontier Airlines flight 1335 left LaGuardia Airport and was headed to Orlando International Airport when it was diverted to Raleigh-Durham International Airport around 8:15 p.m. because of a “disruptive passenger," according to a statement from the airport. The flight departed for Orlando around 9:40 p.m., airport officials said, referring questions to the FBI and the airline.

Patrick Paoletta was like many passengers at the Orlando International Airport — not happy to hear about the possible merger between Frontier and Spirit airlines.

ORLANDO, Fla. — New data shows in 2021, TSA agents seized more guns at airport checkpoints than ever before, with Orlando International Airport landing in the top 10 airports with the most guns confiscated. 2021 marks the sixth year Orlando made the top 10 list. Officials said nearly 5,700 guns were found in carry-on luggage at checkpoints nationwide in 2021, breaking the record of 4,400 in 2019. “Generally speaking … a good 86% of them across the country were loaded, many of those had ammunition in the chamber,” Koshetz said. You also have to declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter.

Spirit and Frontier overlap on more than 500 routes.

A stretch of King Street just west of U.S. 1 will be closed through next week as crews add upgrades to the existing railroad crossing.

Northeast residents were urged to stay off the roads with temperatures beginning to drop Friday evening as a major winter storm turned already slippery roads and sidewalks into ice-covered hazards.

A massive winter storm is causing a travel mess, including flight delays at OIA.

ORLANDO, Fla. — New data shows more than 31,000 people died on our country’s roads in the first three quarters of 2021. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has launched the first of its kind plan to address what he called the crisis from a federal level. In a one-on-one interview with Channel 9 traffic anchor Alexa Lorenzo, Buttigieg broke down his new national roadway safety strategy. As a matter of fact, Orlando is adopting a concept called ‘Vision Zero,’ the idea that the only acceptable number of roadway deaths is none,” Buttigieg said. Buttigieg said, “You got to have safer roads and safer vehicles, safer vehicles.

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you have a flight scheduled on Thursday, you should keep checking its status. More than 100 flights were canceled due to a huge winter storm stretching from Texas to Maine. As of 5 a.m., 109 flights were canceled at Orlando International Airport. Channel 9 is monitoring the flight board at Orlando International Airport. READ: Body of trapped worker recovered at Lake County construction siteWe’ll keep you updated with the latest flight cancellations on Channel 9.

The Orlando International Airport announced it is opening another COVID-19 testing site to help meet the demand.

Chef Art Smith plans on opening his second Central Florida restaurant at the Orlando International Airport.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport officials said they saw an increase in international travelers for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. According to airport officials, there were 251,000 international arrivals and departures for the month of November, a 1.74% increase from the same time period in 2020. Read: Winter weather causes flight cancellations at OIAThe airport also reported a record increase in domestic passengers for the same period. Read: Weather delays SpaceX rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast to SundayThanks to a strong Thanksgiving holiday travel season, domestic passenger traffic increased nearly 106% to 3,633,450 travelers. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Flights canceled Dozens of flights have been canceled at Orlando International Airport because of winter weather all across the East Coast. (WFTV.com News Staff)ORLANDO, Fla. — Dozens of flights have been canceled at Orlando International Airport because of winter weather all across the East Coast. So far 80 flights until 1 p.m. have been canceled in or out of OIA. The airport’s website shows 2,800 flights have been canceled Saturday from major East Coast hubs as the winter storm rolls through. READ: Weather Alert Day: Major cold front brings winter weather to Central FloridaBoston’s Logan Airport, which is a hub for flights in Central Florida, has about 300 flights canceled between Delta and Jet Blue.

What a beauty of a day Central Floridians saw on Thursday. The high jumped to 80 degrees at the Orlando International Airport. This is a full eight degrees above normal for this date.

Few airlines in Central Florida saw disruptions to flights Wednesday after AT&T and Verizon said they would postpone 5G mobile phone service near some airports, including Orlando International Airport.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Passengers at Orlando International Airport are facing delays and cancellations on Monday because of the winter storm hitting other parts of the country. Snow and ice have pummeled much of the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, making air travel more difficult. On Monday, flights were delayed and at least 40 flights were canceled at OIA. Channel 9 also spoke with a passenger who is stranded in Orlando for a couple of days after her flight home got canceled. I was going to try to look for another flight on one of the other airlines, but too expensive,” Torres said.

Construction of Brightline's 169-mile passenger train extension from South Florida to Orlando is chugging along with multiple full-road closures planned for this week.

An Orlando Melbourne International Airport traveler was arrested on New Year’s Day.

The travel troubles continued this New Year's weekend at Orlando International Airport.

Hannah McLachlan and Sinead Stoyle calling themselves lucky to be in Central Florida and said they are ready to ring in 2022.

According to airport officials, Monday is expected to be the fourth busiest day this travel season. Airport officials say they expect 146,000 people to pass through TSA checkpoints on Monday. Flight delays and cancellations continue to be a problem at airports around the world this holiday season. COVID-19′s impact on airline staffing has been blamed for many of the issues, and it’s affecting passengers at OIA. Airport officials want to remind anyone planning to park at the airport to arrive three hours before their flight.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The holiday travel season remains in full swing and Orlando International Airport continues to see a record number of travelers going through the gates this year. According to airport officials, Monday is expected to be the 4th busiest day this travel season. Airport officials say they expect 146,000 people to pass through TSA checkpoints on Monday. The busiest travel day ahead will be New Year’s Day, with 153,000 travelers expected. Read: Child Tax Credit: IRS sending letter with tax filing info to those who received paymentsHere is an updated list of parking lots capacity as of 11 a.m. on Monday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Christmas Day has come and gone, and now many people are heading to Orlando International Airport to get home after the holiday. The airport was packed on what is projected to be the eighth-busiest day of this holiday travel period. READ: Florida job growth will outpace nation next year, report showsThere are some factors making OIA and other airports around the country more hectic than expected. The story all weekend hasn’t really been the wait for travelers, it’s been the worry that their flights will be cancelled. At OIA, 20 departures were canceled Sunday, and 113 flights were delayed.

Holiday Travel Florida Travelers walk through Terminal A at Orlando International Airport on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (Stephen M. Dowell)NEWARK, N.J. — (AP) — The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travelers — but it didn’t do much damage to holiday shopping. But shoppers shrugged off the omicron variant, and holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years, according to one spending measure. Delta, United and JetBlue have blamed the omicron variant of the coronavirus for staffing shortages that forced cancellations. Holiday sales were up 10.7% compared with the pre-pandemic 2019 holiday period.

Holiday Travel Florida Travelers walk through Terminal A at Orlando International Airport on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (Stephen M. Dowell)The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travelers — but it didn’t do much damage to holiday shopping. But shoppers shrugged off the omicron variant, and holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years. Delta, United and JetBlue have blamed the omicron variant of the coronavirus for staffing shortages that forced cancellations. Holiday sales were up 10.7% compared with the pre-pandemic 2019 holiday period.

This weekend, thousands of flights across the U.S. remained grounded during Christmas.

More than 100 Delta and United flights have been canceled on Christmas Eve due to the rise in omicron cases, the airlines announced Thursday.

Guests flying into Central Florida to visit Walt Disney World will soon have a new themed bus service option available.

About 150,000 passengers a day are expected to travel through the Orlando International Airport the rest of the year.

Workers at Orlando International Airport are preparing for a surge of travelers this holiday season as traffic is expected to rival pre-pandemic levels.

Terminal C at Orlando International Airport is now 87% done, and is projected to open in Summer 2022.