After Naming Dispute, Orlando Sanford is Embroiled in Contract Battle

Kevin Rozario

London

May 29, 2024

mod Orlando SFB logo

Orlando Sanford International Airport is caught up in a legal battle with OSI.

© SAA

Last September, several print and broadcast media reported on the latest developments in a fight between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and its smaller Vinci-operated rival Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), over the use of the word ‘Orlando’ in both their titles.

Both gateways serve the city of Orlando in Florida, as well as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and other global attractions nearby. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office's verdict on using the name went in favor of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) which controls MCO. where 57.5 million passengers were processed in 2023.

In the challenge, MCO convinced the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that using both names could confuse travelers. Sanford Airport Authority (SAA) which oversees SFB, has attempted to challenge the TTAB decision by filing a case against GOAA in federal court in August 2023.

SAA argues that it is unfair that one airport should monopolize the city name of Orlando, especially as both airports have operated with the word in their titles for almost 30 years.

Contract Termination in the Courts

In this David and Goliath face-off, SFB is very much the underdog. The gateway transported just 2.9 million passengers in 2023 and it is also much further away from Orlando’s Central Business District (CBD) due to its northeastern position about 28 miles away (by road).

MCO, to the south, benefits from being closer to the CBD and has a far more extensive route network. It is also much better placed for the theme parks to the southwest of Orlando which attract millions of international tourists.

In the wake of this continuing name claim and counter-claim blame game, came a blow for Orlando Sanford International (OSI), the entity running SFB. Last year, SAA announced it would end its contract with OSI and it was duly terminated on February 28 this year. Vinci took a 100% stake in SFB before the pandemic in 2018 when the concession contract, which covered the current terminal and car park operation, had a residual term of 21 years.

Below we have pieced together what we currently know about this termination and subsequent court proceedings brought by OSI against SAA in March. The case highlights the importance of having an iron-clad contract in place for any airport deal.

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