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Orlando International Airport
Not many airports claim they are almost
an attraction in themselves, but Orlando has no inhibitions
about it. It is, according to the publicists, one of the
most beautiful, sophisticated and environmentally concerned
in the US.
The setting, you have to admit, is great. Lakes, islands and
Florida's extravagent vegetation is there to be admired
through the glass walls of the newest and most impressive of
the airside terminals. Travel to the main terminal on the
enclosed passenger shuttle and you are treated to a review
of the marvellous Florida environment. Once you arrive in
the main terminal building it has better shopping facilities
than many US airports, a fact appreciated by the increasing
numbers of international passengers. The terminal, on three
levels, also has a varied selection of restaurants, catering
outlets and other services.
At one end of the building is the Hyatt Regency Hotel which
has an attractive eight floor atrium. There is also a roof
top garage in addition to the airport's two large parking
garages.
But... and there usually is a but where airports are
concerned... Orlando is a busy place and getting busier.
That means it is not exempt from the usual irritants. If you
are an airport fanatic - and they do exist - the occasional
check-in delay and, for international passengers, the
variable speed of the US customs and immigration services
will not worry you. Travelers, mostly, like Orlando and
beyond the publicity it is pleasant and efficient. It has to
be to serve over 30 million passengers a year.
Much of the traffic is vacation oriented but for business
flyers one of Orlando's greatest attractions is that you can
quickly leave it behind you - no disrespect intended. The
airport is served by an efficient road system linked to
major state highways.
As a major cargo center, which handles a huge amount of the
State's flower and plant exports, it has impressive
facilities for tho se
who have to do business on site.
So far Orlando has kept abreast of the people moving game.
It is already looking to build a fourth runway and another
airside terminal as passenger numbers soar beyond the 30
million mark. Some forecasters see capacity for as many as
100 million and design concepts for a second major terminal
are in the computer. If it all comes to pass Orlando
International may not be so much of an attraction in itself.
Beautiful Orlando Sky - As Seen from the Airport Roof
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