Revolutionizing Airport Parking: MCO's Ambitious Consolidated Rental Car Facility

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is grappling with a persistent parking challenge, as its on-site garages and surface lots often reach capacity during peak travel periods. However, the airport has devised a strategic solution to address this issue – the construction of a Consolidated Rental Car Facility (ConRAC).

Unlocking Parking Spaces, Streamlining Rental Car Services

Alleviating Parking Woes

The ConRAC project aims to free up thousands of valuable parking spaces within the airport's existing garages. Currently, rental car operations occupy a significant portion of these spaces, limiting the availability for passengers. By consolidating all rental car services into a single, dedicated facility, MCO can reclaim approximately 5,000 parking spaces across its A, B, and C garages. This strategic move will not only ease the parking crunch but also enhance the overall passenger experience by providing more convenient and accessible parking options.

Enhancing Rental Car Efficiency

The ConRAC facility will also streamline the rental car experience for customers. Instead of the current setup, where rental car counters are located within the parking garages, the new facility will be situated at the south end of the airport, near Terminal C. This centralized location will eliminate the need for customers to navigate through the garages, reducing confusion and improving the overall efficiency of the rental car process. Additionally, the ConRAC will help to decrease curb congestion and prevent unnecessary circling by drivers, ultimately enhancing road safety around the airport.

Funding the Transformation

To finance the construction of the ConRAC, MCO has announced a significant increase in the Customer Facility Charge (CFC) for rental car customers. Effective November 1st, the CFC will rise from to per day, with a maximum collection period of seven days. This increase will tie MCO's CFC with the highest in the country, that of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Comparing CFC Rates Across the Nation

While the CFC hike at MCO may seem steep, it is important to note that rental car customers at airports across the United States are often subject to a variety of additional fees, such as Concession Recovery Fees, Energy Recovery Fees, Florida Surcharges, Vehicle License Fees, and Waste Tire & Battery Fees. When these fees are combined with the CFC, the total cost for a weeklong rental of an SUV from MCO can easily exceed 0.To provide some context, here's a comparison of CFC rates at other major airports:- Tampa International Airport (TPA): .95 per day- Miami International Airport (MIA): .10 per day- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): .95 per day- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): .00 per day- Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): .25 per day- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): .50 per day- Melbourne International Airport (MEL): .00 per day- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): .50 per day- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): .73 per day- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD): .00 per day- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): .00 per day- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): .00 total- Honolulu International Airport (HNL): .50 per day

Interim Parking Solutions

While the ConRAC project is a long-term endeavor, expected to be completed by 2032, MCO has implemented several near-term parking solutions to address the immediate needs of passengers. These include the creation of over 2,000 additional parking spaces through the re-envisioning of existing land and space, the introduction of a new parking reservation system, and enhanced cooperation with the Lynx bus system to offer improved transportation options for travelers. Additionally, the airport has installed a high-tech parking space identification system to help drivers easily locate available spaces and reduce congestion.The transformation of MCO's parking and rental car operations is a complex and ambitious undertaking, but one that promises to deliver significant benefits for both passengers and the airport itself. By consolidating rental car services and freeing up thousands of parking spaces, MCO is poised to enhance the overall travel experience, while also addressing the pressing parking challenges that have long plagued the airport.