History

1928

Official opening as "Orlando Municipal Airport".
Pan Am begins service to Cuba and Puerto Rico from ORL.

1929

US Postal Service inaugurates Air Mail service to and from ORL

1935

Amelia Earhart visits Florida Air Tours, an annual week-long event.

1938

Eddie Rickenbacker (President of Eastern Airlines) makes an appearance at ORL's 10th anniversary celebration.

1940

Renamed "Orlando Air Base" as US Army Corps assumes control for military training.

1946

Control reverts to the City of Orlando.
Commercial air service (Delta, Eastern and National Airlines) commences.

1951

Terminal is built.

1961

Renamed "Herndon Airport".

1962

Commercial air service starts relocation to McCoy AFB property (the future Orlando International Airport), 8 miles south of ORL.

1968

Airlines complete relocation to McCoy AFB, making ORL primarily a general and corporate aviation airport.

1976

Operational control of ORL transfers from the city of Orlando to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA).

1982

Renamed "Orlando Executive Airport".

1992

Dedicated an aviation themed park in the southwest corner of the airport (off Crystal Lake Drive) in honor of hometown hero and aviation extraordinaire, Colonel Joe Kittinger

1995

FAA moved into a new Air Traffic Control Tower ideally located south and midfield of runway 7/25

1996

Orlando Executive Airport hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

1997

Terminal is razed and construction of new FBO facilities begins.

2000

Showalter Flying Service's new terminal opened.

2001

Sheltair Aviation Services’ new terminal opened.

2002

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2003

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2005

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2006

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2007

Airport administration moved into new facilities at 365 Rickenbacker Drive, complete with a 3,600 sq. ft. community room and facilities to offer international flight clearance through an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection

2008

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2009

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2010

Dedicated a State Historical Marker recognizing the contributions that the airport made in support of World War II. The marker is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Maguire Blvd. and Livingston St. on the west side of the airport.

2012

Orlando hosted the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

2009

Orlando hosts the static display for the National Business Aviation Association convention.

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