Port Canaveral and Orlando International Airport to work together

bildeThe two major transportation hubs of Central Florida are going to work together to make the region even more welcoming for the tourists. The Port Authorities hosted a meeting with Orlando International Airport officials Wednesday inside Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 6. Port Canaveral is among the world’s busiest cruise ports and a growing cargo hub with a regional impact of $3.5 billion annually. Orlando International Airport welcomes 35 million passengers each year and generates $26 billion annually for the Central Florida region. Both are expanding right now: Orlando International Airport is in the middle of a 5-year, 1.1 billion project and Port Canaveral is building a new cruise terminal. The meeting also included officials from Disney Cruise Line, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Legoland and SeaWorld Orlando — all entities that could benefit from more visitors coming to Central Florida — as well as economic development and government leaders. Port commissioners approved a partnership agreement under which the port will work with the airport to expand domestic and international flights; increase business-travel capacity; establish a fruit distribution and logistics center; seek high-speed rail service between the seaport and the airport; and push for cargo growth. The port and the airport will designate liaisons to each other’s boards, and plan to hold joint meetings at least once a year. “The synergy is absolutely incredible,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, a member of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority board. “Working together, there is no question we can do more for both of our economies.”