Exceeding expectations, Orlando International Airport (MCO) starts 2021 as the busiest airport in the United States for departures, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
For eight straight days, from Sunday, December 27th until Sunday, January 3rd, MCO has seen more passenger departures than any other airport in the country.
Airport leadership attributes the better than expected data on a number of factors including, MCO’s continued emphasis on making the traveling public feel safe with enhanced Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) approved cleaning protocols, audio and visual CDC safety guideline reminders and low air fares by the airlines.
Travelers taking individual responsibility for their travel choices, pushed Orlando International to surpass 60,000 departing travelers each day this past Saturday and Sunday.
| 2019-20 Actual Numbers | 2020-21 Projected / Actual | |||
| Friday, Dec 27, 2019 | 80,355 | Sunday, Dec 27, 2020 | 44,571 | 51,876 |
| Saturday, Dec 28, 2019 | 85,161 | Monday, Dec 28, 2020 | 41,540 | 43,092 |
| Sunday, Dec 29, 2019 | 80,727 | Tuesday, Dec 29, 2020 | 36,910 | 38,715 |
| Monday, Dec 30, 2019 | 80,174 | Wednesday, Dec 30, 2020 | 36,426 | 47,478 |
| Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 | 66,857 | Thursday, Dec 31, 2020 | 26,007 | 38,456 |
| Wednesday, Jan 1, 2020 | 73,625 | Friday, Jan 1, 2021 | 28,385 | 42,063 |
| Thursday, Jan 2, 2020 | 79,009 | Saturday, Jan 2, 2021 | 42,643 | 60,680 |
| Friday, Jan 3, 2020 | 82,063 | Sunday, Jan 3, 2021 | 44,971 | 60,855 |
Total passenger departure numbers are not available yet.
The 21-day holiday travel period officially ends on Thursday, January 7th. Orlando International will post complete holiday travel departure numbers on Friday, January 8th.
