Orlando International Airport (MCO) has a rich history dating back over 80 years. It originally began operations in 1942 as the Orlando Army Air Field #2, a military base during World War II. It was later renamed Pinecastle Air Force Base and eventually McCoy Air Force Base (the source of the "MCO" code) in 1958. Civil-military flight operations began in 1961, and it officially became a commercial international airport in 1976. As of 2026, the facility is roughly 84 years old in terms of its site history, though its identity as a major international hub is 50 years old. The airport has evolved from a quiet military landing strip into one of the busiest travel centers in the world, recently adding the massive $2.8 billion Terminal C in 2022.