Mystery company 'Project Sky' to build facilities on 30-acre Melbourne Orlando International Airport site in 39-year, $23.9M lease deal

The Melbourne Airport Authority board unanimously approved an aeronautical commercial ground lease and development agreement on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with an undisclosed aeronautical company operating under the code name Project Sky. The deal covers roughly 30 acres on the northwest side of Melbourne Orlando International Airport in Florida, north of General Aviation Drive, and is projected to generate $23.9 million for the airport over its 39-year base term, excluding CPI adjustments and aeronautical fees.

Airport Executive Director Greg Donovan described the unnamed tenant as a "blue-chip company," saying the public announcement would come when the company is ready and that job-creation figures remain confidential at the company's request. Airport Director of Business Development and Marketing Mark Busalacchi said Project Sky intends to move "fairly quickly," though a public announcement is not expected within the next 30 to 60 days.

Initial base rent is set at $53,361 per month, or approximately $640,332 per year, with rent abatement of 100% in the first year, 50% in the second year, and 25% in the third year. Every five years, CPI-linked adjustments will drive annual rent increases of between 3% and 7%, and the lease carries two additional 5½-year option periods beyond the base term.

The site sits just west of Embraer's business-jet manufacturing campus and was previously designated for the $375 million global headquarters of Aerion Supersonic, a Nevada-based company that had planned to manufacture $120 million supersonic business jets at Melbourne and bring at least 675 jobs to Florida's Space Coast by 2026 before abruptly shutting down in May 2021 amid a cash shortage. Donovan noted the parcel has never been built upon, including during its earlier use as Naval Air Station Melbourne.