Orlando International Airport celebrates 30 years
ORLANDO INT’L AIRPORT – Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th anniversary this weekend, and on Sunday an important transportation hub for the theme parks also commemorated a big milestone. Orlando International Airport held a community day celebration in honor of its own 30th birthday.
The $300 million terminal facility was dedicated on October 2nd, 1981.
The 7,000 acre facility at 48 terminal gates in 1981. A little over 6 million people came through Orlando that first year.
Since then, OIA has expanded to 96 terminal gates, and doubled in acreage. Over 35 million people passed through the airport so far this year, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States.
OIA officials say the airport is only going to grow.
This airport doesn look 30 years old,” said Cesar Calvet with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “And we’re going to rail.We are prepared for going to rail. And the bridges that we have by the taxiways can accommodate trains, make it easier to get to the airport and from the airport.”
Over 18,000 people work on airport property.
