2014 begins with upward swing at Orlando International Airport

For the first time in over a year, domestic seat capacity at Orlando International Airport (MCO) increased in January, up nearly 1 percent. The increased capacity helped bring more passengers to Orlando International and improved overall traffic numbers for the first month of 2014 with 2.9 million travelers. Stimulated by a strong 9 percent climb in international traffic, overall numbers were up over 1.25 percent.

Leading the increase in domestic capacity was Spirit Airlines which added 15,000 seats for the month followed by United Airlines which added 6,500 seats and Silver Airways added 5,800 seats.

“We are hopeful the positive domestic numbers to start the New Year are indicative of what is to come for all of 2014,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “What’s truly encouraging is that international traffic continues to grow at a steady rate, which is not only good news for Orlando International but also good news for job creation and our entire community.”

January 2014 Statistical Data:

• Domestic traffic increased .19 percent to 2,491,835 passengers
• International traffic increased 9.0 percent with 368,151 travelers
• Overall traffic climbed 1.25 percent with 2,895,986 passengers at MCO

Additional service increases also moved international numbers upward. TAM added three new flights per week to Rio de Janeiro; Sunwing added service to Halifax; WestJet also added service to Moncton.