Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Airport
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando International Airport in the United States is the second busiest international hub in the state of Florida as of 2025, Miami International Airport is the busiest.
Originally built for the U.S. military in the early 1940s, it was active during the Second World War when it was known as Pinecastle Army Airfield. After a brief pause in operations, activity was resumed during the Korean war.
What is Orlando International Airport’s IATA code?
The airport’s IATA code, MCO comes from the name of a former pilot, Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy, who was killed during a bombing and navigation competition. In 1958 the airfield was renamed as McCoy Air Force Base in honour of him and, although it has since been renamed, the letters have remained.
In the 1960s the airport became a join base for both civilian and military flights. After the end of the Vietnam war, the air force base was closed and military use of the base was scaled right back. Passenger flights became the focus with the first passenger terminals opening in 1981.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) oversees Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). GOAA is governed by a seven-member board comprising the Mayor of Orlando, the Mayor of Orange County, and five other appointees confirmed by the state senate. The airports are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the Authority, who leads a team of approximately 800 full-time employees.
As of 2024, Orlando International Airport was the ninth busiest airport in the USA.
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