Orlando International Airport experienced significant growth as international travel surged during the past year, with nearly 800,000 more passengers passing through its terminals compared to 2023. The increase in international traffic was primarily driven by three airlines: Southwest, JetBlue, and Porter.
“It was a remarkable year for international travel at MCO,” said Kevin J. Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees Orlando International Airport. “This growth not only highlights the resilience and appeal of Central Florida as a global hub, but also emphasizes the importance of international travel as a gateway to the world. This is excellent news for our region, our community, and our mission to connect Florida with the rest of the world.”
Southwest Airlines opened an international hub at MCO, expanding its Caribbean service from two routes to eight. JetBlue introduced flights to Punta Cana and Santiago in the Dominican Republic, while Porter Airlines added services to Ottawa and Toronto. Together, these three airlines accounted for 84% of the increase in international passengers at MCO.
Despite facing various challenges in the aviation industry in 2024—such as airline bankruptcies, delays in aircraft deliveries, and a FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding specific engine overhauls—MCO only saw a minor decrease of 0.9% compared to 2023.
Orlando International Airport remains Florida’s busiest airport, serving 57,211,628 passengers in 2024.
Looking forward, MCO is set to introduce two new international routes in 2025: Discover Airlines will begin service to Munich, Germany, on March 5, and Air France will start flights to Paris, France, on May 21. Additionally, some airlines at MCO are projecting an increase in seat capacity for the spring and early summer. An uptick in passenger volume is anticipated as tourists flock to Orlando for the opening of Epic Universe in May.
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