Once again Central Florida is the nation’s most visited destination with over 68 million annual guests according to 2016 statistics released by Visit Orlando. And March passenger traffic figures at Orlando International Airport (MCO) reflect that steady growth.
In March some 4 million travelers moved through MCO, which is a nearly 2.9 percent climb over the previous year. For the first quarter of the year, traffic at MCO is also up nearly 2.9 percent with over 11 million passengers.
“Recent news of Central Florida’s national leadership in attracting visitors to the region is a catalyst for Orlando International Airport’s current $3 billion capital improvement plan,” says Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “We must continue to expand our capacity to help the region build upon its reputation as a valuable global travel destination.”
Airlines continued to invest in the market with more flights and seats to the destination. Leading the way in March was Spirit Airlines adding 131 thousand seats over March of 2016 followed by Frontier with 70 thousand new seats, JetBlue with 27 thousand additional seats and Southwest with 24 thousand new travel opportunities to Orlando.
Airlines adding flights at MCO in March were Alaska, Norwegian, Frontier, jetBlue and Spirit.
March 2017 Statistical Data:
- Domestic traffic climbed 2.59 percent with 3,570,479 total travelers
- International traffic was up 4.89 percent with 502,763 passengers
- Overall traffic increased 2.87 percent in March with 4,073,242 total passengers
- On a rolling 12-month basis traffic at Orlando International Airport is up 5.8 percent with 42,232,799 travelers
