Construction Begins on Major Tram Replacement at Orlando International Airport

MCO Is Upgrading Its Gate Link Trams in a Massive $253 Million Modernization Project

Orlando International Airport is gearing up for a glow-up of theme-park proportions as the airport begins a major $253 million project to replace its aging Gate Link tram system. If you have ever zipped from the North Terminal to your gate on one of those familiar automated shuttles, get ready for a smoother, faster, and far more reliable ride once this upgrade wraps up. The project has just officially kicked off and is set to finish in late 2027, giving MCO a serious boost right as Central Florida continues to welcome record crowds.

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The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approved the project to overhaul the Gate Link routes serving Gates 70 through 129 at Airside 2 and Airside 4. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America landed the design, build, operate, and maintain contract, and they are replacing pretty much everything. New vehicles, new running surfaces, new operating systems, new power distribution, new communications, and even new platform screen doors are all part of the plan. Mitsubishi will also keep passengers moving throughout construction and limit how long each Gate Link lane goes offline.

These trams are a big deal for MCO because they tie the North Terminal Complex, including Terminals A and B, to the gate areas. With Orlando’s passenger volume growing every year, the airport needs a people mover system that performs like a champ even on holiday weekends when the crowds resemble Main Street at fireworks o’clock.

The benefits of this project read like an airport wish list. The new vehicles are designed for higher reliability and smoother performance. The upgraded systems increase capacity to handle heavier traffic. Safety is improved with modern controls and technologies that help protect passengers. The new setup is more energy efficient too, which lowers the environmental footprint while also keeping operations resilient.

Construction will be phased so most guests only see very minor impacts. MCO expects most passengers will simply notice an extra couple of minutes in their journey. Overnight work will occasionally require travelers to use shuttle buses between terminals and airsides. Anyone planning to use rental cars or pick up ground transportation should build in an additional thirty minutes just in case. Throughout the entire process, the airport will deploy extra guest service ambassadors, enhanced signage, and plenty of support to guide passengers through any temporary changes.

A few fun facts help put the project in perspective. Airside 2’s system dates back to 2000, while Airside 4 has been serving passengers since 1990 and last received new tram cars in 2008. Both Gate Link routes are dual-lane shuttles stretching about 2,000 feet each. Each new tram can carry up to 240 passengers, and a one-way trip takes only ninety seconds with forty seconds of dwell time at the platforms.

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This modernization keeps Orlando in step with other leading airports and shows GOAA’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports future growth. It also follows the successful overhaul of the Gate Link systems at Airside 1 and Airside 3 in 2017. When the dust settles in 2027, MCO will have a people mover system ready for the crowds that flock to Central Florida for vacations, conventions, sporting events, and of course, the theme park magic just beyond the airport doors.

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