ORLANDO, Fla. – Come December, Orlando International Airport is set to embark on a major overhaul of its tram systems, which transport passengers to various airline terminals. Travelers are being advised to allow for additional time as they navigate these changes.
The ambitious Gate Link Replacement Project is slated to kick off on December 3 and is expected to continue through to the fall of 2027. This extensive undertaking involves replacing the existing people mover vehicles that serve as vital connections to the north Terminal A and B gates, specifically Airside 2 and Airside 4.
This upgrade will impact travelers flying with airlines such as Air Canada, Avelo Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, LATAM, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic. As these airlines operate from the terminals involved, passengers should anticipate adjustments to their usual routines.
Beyond simply updating the trams, the airport plans to enhance the entire support infrastructure. This includes improvements to the running surfaces, power distribution systems, and vehicle control mechanisms, ensuring a smoother and more efficient transit experience for the future.
[WATCH: Planned growth at Orlando International Airport]
The airport will not only replace the trams, it will also upgrade the support infrastructure, including the running surfaces, power distribution and vehicle controls.
The current Bombardier cars will be replaced with new Mitsubishi cars, just like the ones the airport installed for Airsides 1 and 3 in 2017.
The airport says the upgrades will make getting from security checkpoints to flight gates smoother and faster.
However, that does mean that, during the phased upgrade process, there could be some delays.
When crews start work on each airside during the day, only one tram will be kept in operation, as opposed to the usual two. The airport says it should only slow down transportation to the gates by a few minutes, even during the holiday season.
[WATCH: Tram disruption causes major delays at Orlando International Airport from 2017)]
Shuttle buses will also be available if needed, especially overnight.
The airport says travelers should arrive at the airport early for a departing flight, and should also give themselves an extra 30 minutes if they are picking up a rental car or using ground transportation services.
During the Gatelink upgrades for Airsides 1 and 3 in 2017, the airport experienced power outages and other malfunctions that led to travel delays for thousands of passengers.
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