Metro Orlando Airport News

[codypet]

The curse of the 3rd terminal.  Everytime we get close something major happens that kills the traffic.  9/11, the recession, COVID.

[spenser1058]

6 minutes ago, codypet said:

The curse of the 3rd terminal.  Everytime we get close something major happens that kills the traffic.  9/11, the recession, COVID.

So true.

[shardoon]

4 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

So true.

I don't think we will be down long. I think by 2022 we should be back to these numbers. The new terminal is deep into construction, money already allocated and contracts out for the extension of phase 1 for those additional gates added to phase 1. Disney still has tons of projects in the works. The epcot anniversary and magic kingdom anniversary are around the bend. Epic universe is still on track. Airlines will be cutting back, but not on Orlando routes. Those will be in demand. Plus, it is possible that we can see another restructure of hubs from this downturn. Orlando Airport may gain in the long run. 

[shardoon]

Prelim numbers out, traffic down 97%. It is pretty much a closed airport. However, non of the staff were furloughed, unlike Vegas. 

[spenser1058]

Not sure how much it matters but in this story announcing JetBlue suspension of service to TPA and other cities, Orlando skates by. It’s also not included on cities noted by Delta and Spirit.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/05/01/jetblue-wants-to-suspend-service-in-tampa-15-other-cities-over-lack-of-passengers/

From Tampa Bay Times 

[codypet]

On 2/14/2020 at 11:40 AM, jrs2 said:

I bet you they're not as bad in the price gouge game than that Shell near Orlando Premium and Mary Queen near 535.

 

So this dude showed up on reddit as having $1.89/gal gas.

[spenser1058]

 

[spenser1058]

GOAA to scale back new OIA terminal in light of collapsing demand:

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/jobs-economy/os-ne-orlando-airport-cuts-new-terminal-costs-20200520-ycpvf3zz4nfwxfi6nkfv3zl4ki-story.html

From the Sentinel 

Annual passenger count forecast to decline from 51m to 25m this year and a similar count next year before a rebound. 

[shardoon]

So the phase 1a is being eliminated.....which means only 15 gates instead of 19. Personally, I do think the rebound will be faster than their projection. I would have just proceeded as plan as it will be a hell of a lot cheaper to do it now with everything mobilized than to do it at a later date. 

[dcluley98]

Yikes. Read that story this morning. 

"“Oh my God, this is one long-ass board meeting,” an unidentified woman said abruptly and loudly, apparently unaware she was heard by the authority, staff and public audience.

Authority member Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer responded: “Actually, I agree it’s a long meeting.”

[spenser1058]

UP’er Ken Storey opines on the wisdom of GOAA’s decision to delay expansion for the South Terminal in Orlando Weekly:

https://m.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2020/05/25/orlando-international-airports-budget-slash-ignores-history-of-growth-will-have-major-impact-on-new-terminal

[shardoon]

I happen to agree with the sentiment that they should have continued the current path. They should not have scaled back the construction. Just looking at the crowds at the beaches, I certainly see a faster recovery as long as there is no second wave. With that being said, if in 3 months passenger counts start beating their bleak projections, there is still time to reverse this decision without any substantial costs. 

[Jerry95]

1 hour ago, shardoon said:

I happen to agree with the sentiment that they should have continued the current path. They should not have scaled back the construction. Just looking at the crowds at the beaches, I certainly see a faster recovery as long as there is no second wave. With that being said, if in 3 months passenger counts start beating their bleak projections, there is still time to reverse this decision without any substantial costs. 

I don’t think they had the option not to scale back. Their cash flow practically disappeared and they still have a significant construction program that wasn’t cut. Terminal C will open in 2022 it just might not be as connected to the Brightline station and there might not be as much landscaping. 

[aent]

5 hours ago, Jerry95 said:

I don’t think they had the option not to scale back. Their cash flow practically disappeared and they still have a significant construction program that wasn’t cut. Terminal C will open in 2022 it just might not be as connected to the Brightline station and there might not be as much landscaping. 

The other option possibly was to delay the opening to account for it. It seems the fundamentals of the economy are still strong, its all just government restrictions and as soon as we're given the all clear and allowed to move about with everything reopened, there should be huge pent up demand.

[Jerry95]

1 hour ago, aent said:

The other option possibly was to delay the opening to account for it. It seems the fundamentals of the economy are still strong, its all just government restrictions and as soon as we're given the all clear and allowed to move about with everything reopened, there should be huge pent up demand.

I (and I’m sure many others) hope you’re right about this; however, I don’t see international traffic picking up as quickly, especially the UK holiday makers who pack the parks in the summer.

The Phase IX (+4 Gates) was always planned to open after the new terminal debut so I really don’t think we’ll notice these differences. Even if demand picks up it’ll probably be next year before they restart stopped projects.

[shardoon]

I am assuming the decision can be reversed over the next year if numbers are better and construction is not totally slowed down yet. 

[spenser1058]

Overhaul of Florida air traffic patterns is coming. It may or may not affects flight paths and noise levels.

The FAAIs conducting public hearings:
 

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/transportation/os-ne-faa-airliner-route-changes-20200607-q7gqyd35u5gp3huegrw4j3zf7u-story.html

From the Sentinel

 Btw, this affects OIA, Herndon and Sanford, among others.

 

[shardoon]

Despite all the craziness going on, I think Jetblue is still going all in on MCO. They are adding nonstop to Philadelphia and San Francisco. I am hoping the eventually add mint to their west coast flights. 

[sethM]

5 hours ago, shardoon said:

Despite all the craziness going on, I think Jetblue is still going all in on MCO. They are adding nonstop to Philadelphia and San Francisco. I am hoping the eventually add mint to their west coast flights. 

I doubt Mint is coming to Orlando very soon. I’m not sure they’d be able to consistently fill the front of the plane. But then again the MCO-LAX route has a lot of competition so perhaps they’ll try to lure some frequent flyers over. 

[AndyPok1]

I've been wanting to try Mint for a while, but there's no easy way for me to get it.

[smileguy]

8 hours ago, shardoon said:

Despite all the craziness going on, I think Jetblue is still going all in on MCO. They are adding nonstop to Philadelphia and San Francisco. I am hoping the eventually add mint to their west coast flights. 

I think only United flies nonstop MCO-SFO right now, and that's once daily.  Looking forward to another option.

[gibby]

Alaska also flies (flew?) it, I think.

[sethM]

16 hours ago, gibby said:

Alaska also flies (flew?) it, I think.

Yep

https://www.google.com/flights?safe=off&hl=en-us&lite=0#flt=MCO.SFO.2020-10-16;c:USD;e:1;sd:1;t:f;tt:o

[shardoon]

52 minutes ago, sethM said:

Yep

https://www.google.com/flights?safe=off&hl=en-us&lite=0#flt=MCO.SFO.2020-10-16;c:USD;e:1;sd:1;t:f;tt:o

WOW!!!! Those prices are AMAZING!!!!

[sethM]

4 hours ago, shardoon said:

WOW!!!! Those prices are AMAZING!!!!

$200 r/t is normal for LAX, but historically cheap for SFO. The price might have more to do with B6 starting that route than it does COVID.