Florida Travel Future Boosted as Orlando International Airport Advances Air Mobility with FAA Simulation: You Need to Know

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has taken a significant step toward shaping the future of aviation by completing an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) assessment with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The three-day initiative, which employed Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) modeling and simulation, explored how electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could be safely integrated into one of the nation’s busiest air travel hubs.

Human-In-The-Loop modeling is a method that combines human expertise with automation to improve the precision and adaptability of complex systems. For this project, Orlando-based Air Traffic Control Specialists used simulated tower environments to test how AAM aircraft might operate within existing airspace. The exercise was carried out at the National Airspace System Innovation and Emerging Concepts Lab at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

The simulation examined potential routes, operational scenarios, and procedures to assess how eVTOL services could coexist with current commercial and general aviation operations. Orlando International became only the second U.S. airport to participate in such a high-level FAA-led assessment, highlighting its role as a leader in next-generation aviation research.

This initiative builds on earlier efforts at MCO to prepare for the arrival of advanced air mobility. In November, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), which manages both Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport, hosted a two-day tabletop exercise dedicated to AAM integration. That exercise evaluated strategies to safely manage future flight operations, underscoring the airport’s proactive stance in collaborating with national and state regulators.

As part of its long-term vision, GOAA has identified two potential sites for future AAM facilities: one located at the east airfield and another near the airport’s train station. Conceptual plans for vertiports are already in development, supported by the airport’s expansive 11,000-acre footprint, which allows for large-scale infrastructure adaptation. These plans aim to position MCO as a proving ground for sustainable aviation technologies that will eventually transform how people move within and between cities.

Partnership remains at the center of this transformation. MCO is working closely with the FAA, NASA, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure safety, innovation, and economic growth drive AAM’s integration into Florida’s airports.

Beyond its role in future aviation, MCO continues to operate as a world-class travel hub. With nearly 58 million passengers annually, the airport is one of the busiest in the United States, offering connectivity through three terminals—A, B, and C. Terminal C, directly linked to an Intermodal Terminal Facility with high-speed rail service, represents a modern gateway that combines innovative design with advanced security features, including fully automated TSA screening lanes.

Meanwhile, Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) provides vital general aviation access just minutes from downtown Orlando, serving as a complementary facility for private and business aviation. Together, MCO and ORL strengthen Central Florida’s position as a critical center of air travel, commerce, and innovation.

Through forward-looking investments, rigorous testing, and broad-based collaboration, Orlando International Airport is setting the stage for AAM adoption that could redefine urban and regional travel. With preparations already underway, Florida is poised to become a leader in the deployment of electric aviation technologies, bringing new opportunities to both the state and the nation’s aviation industry.

The successful FAA simulation at Orlando International Airport demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and forward planning are paving the way for a new era in aviation. By preparing infrastructure, testing integration scenarios, and building partnerships with key federal and state agencies, MCO is positioning itself and Florida as leaders in advanced air mobility. With vertiport plans under development and continued investment in next-generation technologies, Orlando is not only preparing for the arrival of eVTOL aircraft but also shaping the future of sustainable, efficient, and connected air travel.

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