ORLANDO, Fla. — With more than 40 million people using Orlando International Airport every year, maintaining the baggage-handling system, bridges and ground transportation has become tougher than planners had imagined, officials said.
Already, OIA is undergoing terminal construction, but behind the scenes there are some things that need a little TLC, officials said.
Traveler Marsha Rampersad has had some bad experiences at the airport, namely delays in baggage claim.
“Most of the time it’s pretty good,” she said. “But I have had a couple of times when I’ve made it all the way in here and then I’ve been delayed in the baggage area for like an hour.”
OIA reports that more than 80 percent of flights get off the ground on time, and those that don’t are usually delayed by weather and air traffic control issues, not operations at the airport.
But for passengers, delays at the beginning or the end of their trip can feel like an eternity.
“It’s awful,” Rampersad said. “It ruins the trip. (It) could delay you completely from whatever plans you might be having.”
To keep things running smoothly at the airport, OIA officials said they are planning on spending $15 million over three years to hire a company to make sure everything behind the scenes keeps working.
Cox Media Group
