By Jim Carchidi
October 6, 2026
Orlando International Airport (MCO) marked a milestone in its efforts to improve passenger connection efficiency. Gate Link tram service to Gates 100-129 began last week with new vehicles and upgraded systems.
5-million-mile service
The Gate Link Replacement Project began on December 3, 2025 with completion expected in the fall of 2027. The aging passenger connection system had clocked about five million miles and required new running surfaces, power distribution equipment, vehicle controls, communications and operating systems, and platform screen doors.
The $253 million overhaul is being managed in the same way as the 2017 replacement of connections to Gates 1-59. And the new people mover vehicles are the same Mitsubishi brand systems. Each new tram can accommodate up to 240 passengers.
Making progress
The construction schedule has been staged in three daily shifts over six-day weeks. With the completion of the first gate connectors, the process will now focus on the connectors to Gates 70–99. The usual two-tram operation will be reduced to one for the duration of the project.
Shuttles that have been taking up the slack during the project are a permanent addition to airport operations and can accommodate the same number of passengers as the people mover systems. MCO continues to advise passengers to allow additional time to get to the outdoor drop off/pickup area in case the daily volume requires shuttle connections.
Travel tips
Travelers are advised to follow the 3-2-1 rule:
- Be at the ticket counter 3 hours before departure.
- Be at the TSA security checkpoint 2 hours before departure.
- Be at the gate 1 hour before boarding.
What’s next
MCO served approximately 57.6 million passengers in 2025, an increase of about 400,000 from 2024. The airport recently completed the first phase of the Terminal C expansion with a new 230,000-square-foot addition. Future projects will include a new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B by 2030 and expansions of Garages A and C, adding 8,000 new parking spaces.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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