Spirit Airlines flight makes emergency landing at JAX due to battery fire in overhead bin
A Spirit Airlines flight that was traveling from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Orlando International Airport had to make an emergency landing Wednesday afternoon at Jacksonville International Airport.
Universal moves to build rail stop in Orlandoโs tourism hub
Universal Orlando Resort has filed paperwork and pledged 13 acres for a commuter rail station that could link the seventh busiest airport in the U.S. with the heart of the tourism district in one of the top travel destinations in the world.
Airport changes name after years of fighting over โOrlandoโ
After years of fighting and litigation over who can include โOrlandoโ in the name of their central Florida airport, Orlando International Airport officials and Orlando Melbourne International Airport officials have tentatively agreed that Orlando Melbourne International Airport will change its name to Melbourne Orlando International Airport.
Identified in Florida, suspect charged with entering Capitol
ORLANDO, Fla. โ A Florida man who was identified to FBI agents as being inside the U.S. Capitol during a riot by loyalists of then-President Donald Trump was arrested Wednesday at Orlando International Airport. Steve Maldonado was arrested at the airport by FBI agents, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said in an email. AdFBI agents interviewed Maldonado at his home in early February, and he admitted to entering the U.S. Capitol and going to the Senate, the criminal complaint said. Maldonado is facing charges of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct with the intent to disrupt government business. House prosecutors say Trump encouraged a rally crowd to head to the Capitol and then did nothing to stem the violence.
Brightline, Disney announce train station at Disney Springs
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort have reached an agreement to build a train station at Disney Springs, officials said Monday. Brightline is already building tracks from South Florida to Orlando International Airport, and planning to extend service to Tampa. The South Florida to Orlando extension is scheduled to begin service in 2022, the company has said. โOur mission has always been to connect our guests to the people and places that matter, and Walt Disney World Resort is a tremendous example of this,โ Goddard said in the statement. Disney Springs is near a major network of roads, including Interstate 4.
Southwest flight makes emergency landing in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Providence, Rhode Island, made an emergency landing Friday at Jacksonville International Airport over concerns about a mechanical issue, the airline said. Southwest flight 162 took off from Orlando International Airport shortly after 8 a.m., according to Flight Aware. The flight was diverted to Jacksonville after the pilot noticed an instrument reading in a gauge that monitors the aircraftโs backup hydraulics systems, a Southwest spokesman told News4Jax. The Boeing 737, which was carrying 23 passengers and five crew members, landed safely in Jacksonville about 9 a.m., so mechanics could inspect the aircraft, the spokesman said. Flight Aware shows the flight was scheduled to depart Jacksonville for Providence about 10:40 a.m.
$900M to land at Florida airports as coronavirus cripples travel
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Nearly $900 million in federal stimulus money will land at Florida airports to offset economic losses as travel has plummeted because of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Transportation posted a list online Tuesday of 100 airports in Florida that are slated to receive money, from $206.9 million going to Miami International Airport to $1,000 for Everglades Airpark in Everglades City. The money is part of the $2.3 trillion CARES Act stimulus package signed March 27 by President Donald Trump. Among large airports, Orlando International Airport is set to get $170.7 million; Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is slated to get $135 million; Tampa International Airport is expected to receive $81 million; Palm Beach International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport are each expected to receive $36.6 million; and Jacksonville International Airport is slated to receive about $28.2 million. Many general aviation airports across Florida are expected to receive $20,000 to $69,000.
Orlando International to cease operations Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Dorian
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Orlando International Airport, Florida's busiest airport, planned to cease operations Tuesday morning, bearing in mind the uncertain path of Hurricane Dorian. Officials at Orlando International Airport said Monday that commercial operations at the airport would cease at 2 a.m. Tuesday. Orlando International Airport was preparing for winds between 40 and 45 mph. Hurricane #Dorian Statement - 9/2/19 AfternoonDorian's track forces ceasing of operations at MCO on Tuesday, September 3. pic.twitter.com/GZozxIz7LF Orlando International Airport (@MCO) September 2, 2019The airport had originally been set to close at 2 a.m. Monday, but airport officials rescinded that plan as the hurricane slowed down and its projected path shifted more north.
DeSantis: Airline starts seasonal flights between Orlando and Israel
ORLANDO, Fla. - Direct flights between Israel and Florida's busiest airport are starting next week. Ron DeSantis and other officials on Tuesday announced the kickoff of the weekly, seasonal flights on El Al Airlines from Orlando International Airport to Israel. It will be the second Florida airport offering direct flights to the Holy Land since passengers already can fly to Israel out of Miami International Airport. Im happy to announce this new nonstop flight between Orlando and Tel Aviv, which will provide Floridians and Israelis exciting new tourism opportunities, said DeSantis. This new route will help attract more visitors to the Sunshine State, as well as increase the number of Florida visitors to Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East.