Month: September 2017

Orlando International Airport New Terminal

Orlando Airport Terminal

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board Advances South Terminal Project

 ORLANDO, FL. – The first phase of design for construction of the $1.8 billion South Terminal Complex was given the go-ahead by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Board. At its May meeting the Board approved a request by Executive Director Phil Brown to re-evaluate the timing for the facility after hearing that growth in Orlando International Airport’s domestic and international passenger traffic may negatively impact the level of service at the current North Terminal Complex. The Board authorized procurement of the appropriate design professionals to proceed with design of phase one of the South Terminal.

“This decision allows us to begin the complex process of developing a new terminal facility,” Brown said. “If we can’t accommodate the traffic, which in our rolling 12-month figures is almost up to pre-recession levels, while delivering our trademark level of high customer service, another airport will.”

Board members also approved a revision of the previously set triggers for South Terminal construction. The previously established benchmarks were 40 Million Annual Passengers (MAP) and two million annual arriving international passengers for six consecutive months on a rolling 12-month basis. The international passenger threshold has already been met and the annual passenger total was revised to 38.5 million.

“It makes sense to start the design process earlier so we can meet the anticipated growth in demand,” says Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “At our current pace, we will not only break our international record for the year, but potentially our total yearly traffic record as well.”

The current rolling 12-month passenger traffic figures show approximately 36.4 million travelers moving through Orlando International.

“Keeping Orlando moving continues to be a priority for the City of Orlando and the Orlando International Airport is a critical component of those efforts,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The new multimodal transportation hub will position Orlando to be one of the first cities in the nation with an on-airport facility and further grow our transportation options, enhancing connections for our residents, visitors and businesses throughout our entire region, state, nation and the world.”

“I am fully supportive of this expansion,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “Proper planning for growth is critical for the continued economic health of our region.”

Projected passenger traffic increases due to community investments in tourism, medical research, business and education are driving the accelerated pace of planning. New international airlines and new routes from existing airlines have been added since the original triggers were approved in 2013. All these factors have contributed to consistent passenger growth, presenting capacity challenges for the current North Terminal Complex (NTC).

“Therefore, the underlying drivers for overall air travel growth are likely to remain strong for the foreseeable future,” says Sean Snaith, Director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida.

Professor Snaith revealed a conservative forecast of sustainable growth for the airport and region which projects robust economic activity through 2020 and beyond. This is growth that will further strain the current facilities and infrastructure at Orlando International Airport.

Critical operational stresses are projected to affect facilities capabilities within the next few years:

– International Gates & Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
– Passenger Security Checkpoints
– Ticketing
– Baggage Handling Systems

Plans for the new South Terminal will be integrated in phases. Phase One, as approved by the Board, will be a 16-gate facility with a 1.5 year Design and Construction Procurement Development schedule and a 2.5 year Pre-construction and Construction schedule. Total projected completion time is estimated at four years.

The South Terminal project will be funded through various sources including Passenger Facility Charges (PFC), Customer Facility Charges (CFC), General Airport Revenue bonds and discretionary GOAA funds.

Combined with the $1.1 billion Capital Improvement Plan construction projects currently underway, development of the South Terminal will enable Orlando International Airport to maximize its ability to meet the travel demands of the present while laying the foundation for the future.

ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP NOTE:

Since the unanimous vote by the Board, the call has been made to fill consulting and professional design and construction services positions. The Authority posted openings for Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and Statements of Qualifications (SOQ’s) for highly-skilled services related to the project. This process will continue through the end of the year.

Basic MCO information:

Orlando International Airport set a record in 2014 with 4,324,175 international passengers and now with an overall total of 36.4 million annual passengers on a rolling 12-month basis, MCO is the second busiest airport in Florida and 14th busiest in the U.S. The airport has 18,000 employees and generates $31 billion in direct and indirect revenue for the regional economy. Orlando International Airport strives to value and delight its customers through a design concept known as The Orlando Experience®.

 

All you need know about our Town Cars

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The Lincoln Town Car was one of the most established automotive nameplates in America. Since it debuted as a trim level for the 1969-’71 Continental, the Town Car’s purpose remained the same: to spoil as many as six occupants with spacious and luxurious accommodations no matter where in the car they were sitting. For years it was the epitome of what Americans expected from a luxury car.

As time passed by, those expectations began to change, and the Town Car did not evolve to meet them. Not only did Lincoln maintain the Town Car’s palatial dimensions, massive trunk and soft ride, it also maintained the basic platform that had underpinned the car since the late 1970s. Its solid rear axle suspension and V8 engine, in particular, were relics of another time. Many of the latest safety, convenience and entertainment features were also not available.

Some will certainly view a used Town Car as a comfortable choice for luxury transportation. But for the most part, we think most shoppers will do better choosing another large luxury sedan that’s more capable and advanced.

Most Recent Lincoln Town Car
The most recent Lincoln Town Car was produced from 2003-’11. Compared to the model that immediately preceded it, this final Town Car featured a strengthened frame, updated mechanicals, minor styling changes and a revised interior. But it still was heavily based on the previous car, with a body-on-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive and a solid rear axle.

Equipped with wide front and rear bench seats, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the few six-passenger cars around. Both standard- and long-wheelbase models were offered, each powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produced 239 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque. Not only was acceleration pokey, but fuel economy was poor as well. Not helping matters was an old four-speed automatic that lacked the choice of gear ratios and fuel economy of the five- and six-speed automatics found on competitive sedans.

Changes during its lengthy model run were largely restricted to a reshuffling and renaming of trim names in its first few years. For instance, the top-of-the-line model was first named Cartier, then Ultimate and finally Signature Limited. From 2006 through 2011, however, the Town Car could primarily be had in standard-wheelbase Signature Limited and long-wheelbase Signature L trim levels. Feature highlights included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a premium sound system, a power-operated trunk and driver memory settings. The Town Car Signature L was essentially a limousine. Six inches longer than the standard car, the L featured a much roomier rear bench seat with separate audio and climate controls.

In editorial reviews, we appreciated the Town Car’s abundant storage areas, soft ride quality, interior spaciousness and ability to swallow four sets of golf clubs in the huge trunk. And compared to the previous generation, it did benefit from a stronger frame, sharpened steering and upgraded brakes. But compared to other large luxury sedans of the time, the Town Car was let down by a weak engine, soggy handling, a dated interior design and a lack of modern features.

Previous Lincoln Town Car Models
The Lincoln Town Car produced from 1998-2002 lacked the more recent model’s updates, but still offered the same roomy interior. It was offered in Executive, Signature and Cartier editions, and beginning in 2002, the latter two trim levels were available in long-wheelbase form. Between 1998 and 2000, the Town Car was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produced 205 hp. In 2001, hp was bumped up to 220 for Executive and Signature editions, while Cartier versions produced 235 hp.

Between 1990 and 1997, the Town Car was boxy, slab-sided and formal. However, its radiused edges, flush-mounted windows and lighting elements made it appear infinitely more modern and aerodynamic than the carriage-like pre-1990 models. In 1991, an overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8 was installed that, with 190 hp, was significantly more powerful than the 5.0-liter V8 in previous Town Cars. In 1994, hp rose once again to 210. Other notable developments for mid-1990s Town Car models included an optional Handling Package with firmer suspension and matched tires introduced for 1993, and a subtle but tasteful interior and exterior restyle for 1995.

Most editorial reviewers of the time noted the Town Car’s strength as a serene reading room on wheels while lamenting its ponderous driving dynamics. However, there was universal acknowledgement that the Lincoln Town Car never has been for spirited drivers, but rather for those who grew up believing that big, comfortable, rear-wheel-drive American luxury cars were the ultimate reward for a job well done. And for them, this Town Car was a perfect fit.

Let’s take a ride! We make your trip comfortable! Look our rates

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