Orlando International Opens Vertipad and Hosts Joby eVTOL Demonstration Flights

Orlando International Airport (KMCO) this week inaugurated a vertipad that the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) described as a first-of-its-kind site for evaluating electric air taxis. GOAA, which operates the airport, said Thursday that the airport hosted demonstrations of Joby Aviation's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype, which conducted three short hops, each lasting two minutes or less, according to FlightAware. The demonstration was hosted by FDOT and, according to GOAA, used routes and procedures developed jointly with the FAA and NASA, with participation from Orlando air traffic controllers. GOAA CEO Lance Lyttle said bringing together government, industry and air traffic partners at MCO is helping turn an emerging transportation concept into a safe, practical reality.

The vertipad sits at the airport's Surface Lot Atlantis, near the train station adjacent to Terminal C. GOAA said it is the first such facility built onsite at a major U.S. airport, and approved its development in July. The small takeoff and landing area is intended to validate the readiness of eVTOL, conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft and their integration into the airspace, and will be used for demonstrations in partnership with the FAA, NASA, FDOT, local air traffic control and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

GOAA plans to build a larger vertiport designed for eVTOL operations, though it has not yet decided where, and aims to begin commercial operations there by 2030, having previously targeted 2028. In October the FAA released draft vertiport design standards covering facility elements, electric charging systems, and lighting, markings and visual aids, and plans to publish final standards in summer 2027 after public feedback. Earlier this year the airport hosted demonstrations of Beta Technologies' CX300, an electric CTOL prototype.

FDOT is leading one of eight projects under the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which kicked off earlier this week when Joby and Beta prototypes flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa International Airport (KTPA). GOAA said FDOT plans more flights across the state, and that it aims to integrate electric aircraft at Orlando International and Orlando Executive Airport (KORL) to support FDOT's planned aerial highway network for passenger, cargo and emergency services.