OIA officials push for end to international flight restrictions

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando International Airport officials want to be included in the list of U.S. airports allowed to receive flights from certain foreign countries.

It appeared an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control last month would clear OIA to bring in more fights from countries like Brazil and the United Kingdom, but so far that hasn’t happened.

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Right now, flights from those countries can only land in 15 U.S. airports, and Orlando International isn’t one of them.

Even though the CDC has said it was lifting that restriction, airport officials say the Department of Homeland Security and the White House haven’t.

OIA CEO Phil Brown says they’re starting to see signs of improvement in passenger traffic and in demand for air travel, but the changes have been gradual.

“And so our challenge is trying to figure out ways that we can generate more air traffic,” Brown says.

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Part of that push includes efforts to bring in more international. Flights.

In July, leaders of more than 20 local businesses like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando signed a letter to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, asking for permission to get added to the list...that never happened.

But last month, the CDC announced it was lifting the restrictions, which seemed like it would open OIA to resume international flights. It still hasn’t happened.

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Brown notes there’s still a presidential proclamation in place that restricts flights to the 15 designated airports, leaving the prospect of more flights and more passengers up in the air.

At least four airlines have said they want to add international flights from those countries.

Virgin Atlantic even made an announcement they were going to add the flights in mid-July, but have had to keep pushing them back.

Cox Media Group