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ORLANDO, Fla. – Come December, travelers at Orlando International Airport will encounter significant changes as the facility embarks on a major upgrade of its transportation system. The airport is set to replace the aging trams that shuttle passengers to various airline terminals, urging travelers to plan for additional travel time during this transition.
The ambitious Gate Link Replacement Project, announced by the airport, will kick off on December 3 and is slated to continue through the autumn of 2027. This extensive project aims to modernize the people mover vehicles that serve as a vital connection for passengers heading to the north Terminal A and B gates, specifically Airside 2 and Airside 4.
Among the airlines that will be impacted by this project are notable carriers such as Air Canada, Avelo Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, LATAM, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic. Passengers flying with these airlines should be prepared for potential disruptions and are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys.
As the airport gears up for this substantial growth and infrastructure enhancement, these improvements are expected to better accommodate the increasing number of travelers passing through one of the nation’s busiest airports.
[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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