Orlando International Airport’s new $2.8 billion Terminal C is on schedule to open this month. The terminal encompasses 300 acres and adds 15 gates capable of accommodating up to 20 aircraft, including narrowbody, jumbo and super-jumbo jets.
On Tuesday (September 13, 2022) Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced that their new Terminal C is on schedule to open this month. The new $2.8 billion terminal encompasses 300 acres and adds 15 gates capable of accommodating up to 20 aircraft, including jumbo and super-jumbo jets. The facility also includes informational ticket displays in the ticket halls, concession hub and gate areas, as well as interactive, immersive multimedia features that will provide high definition visual entertainment. Designed for certification as one of the first LEED v4 airport campuses, Terminal C reflects the airport’s longstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Terminal C features a unique construction delivery structure with two ‘construction managers at risk (CMAR), a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) baggage handling system and numerous design-build teams for concession and tenant buildouts. Although the entire facility will operate as one building, Turner Kiewit CMAR team owned the landside expansion, while the Hensel Phelps CMAR team owned the airside expansion. The new 15-gate terminal was designed by Fentress Architects, in coordination with architect-of-record HNTB, while a Turner-Kiewit joint venture and Hensel Phelps served as construction managers. Netherlands-based Vanderlande Industries holds the Baggage Handling System contract , while Burns Engineering served as the project’s prime technology engineer.
Commenting on the Terminal C project, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) CEO, Kevin Thibault, said,
“We strive to use cutting-edge technology and best practices in everything we do. Above all else, we seek to recognize the many diverse types of passengers who use our airport. This was truly a team effort.”
The massive construction project utilized an average of over 1,000 workers on site daily throughout the terminal construction, which required nearly four million cubic yards of dirt to be removed and over 61,000 tons of steel.
Also speaking on the successful project, HNTB’s Project Director, Bill Brooks, said,
“It takes a village to build a project of this magnitude. One of the best decisions made early in the process by the Aviation Authority was to put all the project partners together on site which enhanced communication and ensured accountability.”
As the newest airport terminal in the U.S. Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C will be completed on time and on budget, but also incorporates new features not previously seen at a U.S. airport. The terminal features the first fully-integrated multimodal airport terminal in the country for rail, air and ground transportation, 100 percent automated lanes at the TSA checkpoint, and 100 percent facial recognition for arriving and departing international passengers.
Orlando International Airport's New Terminal C Details - Courtesy Orlando International Airport
Source: Orlando International Airport