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The multi-faceted aviation and aerospace sector in Metro Orlando
comprises international and regional airports, aircraft and ground
support firms and numerous flight training schools. It also
encompasses companies providing products and services for both
private and governmental aviation and aerospace applications.
Between 1990 and 2010, the number of air passengers in Florida
is expected to increase 128 percent, with Metro Orlando’s airports
playing a key role. The prominent Orlando International Airport is
among the top 100 airports in the world in terms of passenger
volume and air cargo shipment. Complementing Orlando International
Airport is the Orlando Sanford International Airport, which was
ranked as the fastest growing North American airport in 2000 and
2001 among airports with one million or more annual passengers.
In addition to two international airports, there are several
regional airports. Backing these facilities are a number of FBOs,
aviation maintenance firms and ground handling companies. Signature
Air Services, one of the largest flight support operations in the
world, is headquartered in Orlando. Aviation businesses in the
region supply a range of vital services including fueling, baggage
handling, repairs, cargo handling and jetway maintenance. Ample
land is available at Metro Orlando airports for ancillary aviation
services, along with the power and water resources needed to run
their varied operations.
Orlando International Airport’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 42 is
positioned in the heart of one of the nation’s busiest and fastest
growing airports and includes state-of-the art facilities for
storage, manufacturing, shipping and handling. Its Central location
and air service by major international and domestic airlines makes
global commerce easier through a superior multimodal network of
interstate highways, rail systems, deep water ports and space
transportation.
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded billions of dollars
in contracts to local companies for development of such projects as
fighter jets, targeting systems, military satellite communications
and ground-based missile systems. Lockheed Martin is the largest
aerospace company in the region, employing 7,300 workers in Central
Florida. Its Missiles and Fire Control division develops,
manufactures and integrates air defense and advanced product
solutions and systems for U.S. and international armed forces. The
company is currently under contract to NASA's Johnson Space Center
to provide systems design, development, maintenance, logistics and
training services in support of the Shuttle Training Aircraft,
which provides a high-fidelity simulation of a space shuttle
landing for astronaut training.
Many local firms are awarded sub-contracts from Lockheed Martin,
as well as the Boeing Co., which is located just outside Metro
Orlando and is the largest aviation/aerospace company in the world.
Boeing recently selected Orlando-based Advanced Laser Systems
Technology, Inc. to develop a laser rangefinder for the Orbital
Express space operations architecture program. Metro Orlando’s
burgeoning plastics industry also contributes components for use in
the aviation and aerospace industry. The use of lightweight plastic
materials is common due to their flexibility, sturdiness and
ability to withstand high temperatures.
For more information on Metro Orlando’s airports and leading
aviation and aerospace companies, please visit their Web sites by
clicking on the links below, or, visit Company
Profiles to read brief synopses of each company.
Aircraft Service
International Group
AirTran
Airways
Cessna
FMC
Airport Systems
G&T
Conveyor Company
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
Leesburg International Airport
Lockheed
Martin
Orlando
Executive Airport
Orlando
International Airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Signature Flight Support
Southern
Jet Center LLC
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