Utility Master Plan (W-00623)

Orlando International Airport is a continuously evolving environment where utility systems (power, water, wastewater, stormwater, and communications) are critical to safe and efficient operations. As passenger volumes and facilities expand, these systems face increasing demand and operational stress. Without a coordinated approach, we risk capacity shortfalls, service disruptions, and costly reactive upgrades that can impact both operations and customer experience.

The Utility Master Plan (UMP) will provide a strategic framework to evaluate existing infrastructure, forecast future utility needs, identify system deficiencies, and build in critical redundancies. By integrating utility planning with the airport’s Capital Improvement Program and long-term development goals, the UMP ensures that future projects are supported by reliable, resilient, and sustainable utility systems. This proactive planning reduces conflicts during construction, minimizes delays, and optimizes investment by prioritizing improvements based on critical need and lifecycle cost.

In addition to supporting growth, the UMP will address regulatory compliance and explore resilient solutions. Incorporating redundancy and energy efficiency into utility planning strengthens operational reliability and aligns with our strategic goals. Ultimately, the UMP is a foundational tool that enables the Orlando International Airport to maintain operational excellence, accommodate future demand, and safeguard its role as a critical transportation hub.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has embarked on an ambitious Visioning Plan to position Orlando International Airport (MCO) as a premier gateway for global travel and commerce over the next decade. This plan includes initiatives such as achieving a 5-Star Skytrax rating, expanding cargo facilities, developing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved Advanced Air Mobility vertiport by 2030, and modernizing Terminals A and B while continuing the expansion of Terminal C.

These transformative projects will significantly increase utility demands across power, water, wastewater, stormwater, and communications systems. MCO currently ranks as the busiest airport in the State of Florida and ninth in the U.S., serving over 57 million annual passengers (MAP), on the way to 82 MAP by 2037. This growth requires reliable and resilient utility infrastructure critical to sustaining operations and supporting expansion. The combined economic impact with Orlando Executive Airport, estimated at $41 billion, underscores the importance of proactive planning to avoid capacity shortfalls, service disruptions, and costly reactive upgrades.