GOAA confirms USD1.1bn Orlando International Airport expansion project

US' Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) confirmed (16-Oct-2013) its board voted to approve a USD1.1 billion project designed to increase Orlando International Airport's annual passenger capacity from 24 million to 45 million. The project includes:

• Improvements to current facilities:
  • Terminal ticket area/baggage: USD113 million;
  • Baggage improvements: USD148 million;
  • Other terminal projects: USD60 million;
  • Airsides 1 & 3 automated people movers (APM): USD90 million;
  • Airfield projects: USD76 million;
  • Ground transportation/other: USD33 million.
• Additional construction:
• • South airport APM complex, including a high speed rail terminal: USD470 million;
  • Airside 4 international improvements, including the construction of four new international gates: USD114 million.

Construction is expected to commence in FY2014 and conclude in FY2017, with financing to come from passenger facility charges, customer facility charges and bonds. GOAA executive director Phil Brown said: "Our philosophy has always been to plan for the future and implement strategies that make financial sense. Our overall goal is to provide an efficient facility by phasing in projects over time and securing funding, while limiting the impact on the traveling public." [more - original PR]