Orlando International Airport (MCO) has experienced significant flight delays, with one-quarter of all flights delayed last year. While weather and air traffic control issues are common reasons for such disruptions, another unexpected factor at MCO is wildlife, specifically alligators.
Florida’s climate, though mostly warm, includes frequent thunderstorms and hurricanes from June to November. Despite these conditions, only 0.6% of flights at MCO were delayed due to weather. Air traffic control staffing shortages also affect airports across the United States. The Central Florida TRACON facility, which manages flights into Orlando and Tampa airports, is in need of modernization as its last equipment upgrade was in 1983.
Aircraft maintenance is generally not a concern at Orlando due to the presence of multiple facilities that handle technical issues efficiently. Proximity to Cape Canaveral rarely affects flight schedules because rocket launches usually occur over the ocean or high enough not to interfere with airport operations.
The airport’s location on swampy land poses unique challenges. Originally constructed as Pinecastle Army Airfield in 1942 and later transitioning to a commercial airport after the Vietnam War, it features large drainage lakes designed to protect local wildlife and manage rainwater runoff efficiently.
Alligators have been known to cause flight delays at MCO when they cross airport grounds between drainage ponds. A notable instance occurred in 2018 when an alligator crossing a taxiway led to a Spirit Airlines flight delay. Another incident in April 2022 involved an alligator near the tarmac.
An encounter with an alligator proved fatal for the reptile in June 2017 when a Piper Navajo aircraft hit it upon landing at Orlando Executive Airport. The pilot noted seeing a large object on the runway before impact.
Wildlife strikes pose serious risks to aviation safety. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were “about 19,700 [bird] strikes at 780 US Airports” in 2023 alone. Bird strikes can damage aircraft engines and other parts but typically result in safe landings without injury.
A famous example of bird strike consequences is US Airways Flight 1549’s emergency landing on the Hudson River after both engines failed following contact with geese shortly after takeoff from New York LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009.
In summary, while several factors contribute to flight delays at Orlando International Airport, wildlife presence—particularly alligators—due to its proximity to wetlands plays a significant role.
