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MELBOURNE, Fla. — Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) was evacuated and temporarily closed in the pre-dawn hours Friday morning after a report of devices left inside the terminal, prompting a precautionary sweep by airport police.
According to a statement provided to The Space Coast Rocket by Melissa Naughton, Assistant Director of Business Development & Marketing and Public Information Officer for the airport, Melbourne Police Department dispatch was contacted around 4:19 a.m. by an individual who reported that devices had been left in the airport.
“In an abundance of caution the terminal was evacuated and closed,” Naughton said.
Melbourne Airport Authority Police Department officers conducted a thorough sweep of the terminal, the ramp, and aircraft parked at the gates. The airport was reopened to normal operations at approximately 6:30 a.m., roughly two hours and ten minutes after the initial call.
Naughton did not disclose the nature of the devices reported, the identity of the individual who contacted dispatch, or whether any items of concern were ultimately recovered during the sweep. The Space Coast Rocket has requested additional information.
No injuries were reported, and the airport returned to normal flight operations.
Melbourne Orlando International Airport, located approximately 1.5 miles northwest of downtown Melbourne in Brevard County, serves as a key aviation hub for the Space Coast. The airport recently completed a $72 million renovation and expansion project that added more than 86,000 square feet of new and improved facilities, including a welcome center, new passenger boarding bridges capable of supporting wide-body aircraft, expanded international baggage claim, and additional retail and dining options.
According to a 2023 study by the Florida Department of Transportation cited by the airport, MLB and its associated tenants generate more than $3.1 billion annually for the Space Coast economy. The airport is home to more than 60 tenants in the aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries.
The airport is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Melbourne City Council and the private sector, and operates without local tax dollars as part of the Melbourne municipal budget.
This is a developing story. The Space Coast Rocket will update this report as additional information becomes available.
