A long-simmering dispute between two airports over use of the name ‘Orlando’ has been settled just short of court action, with the airport that has been calling itself Orlando Melbourne agreeing to become Melbourne Orlando, and giving up a number of other marketing practices.
Melbourne’s airport had been using the Orlando name to make itself more attractive to travelers headed to the theme parks in the Orlando area, although it is 65 miles from the actual Orlando airport. The Greater Orlando Airport Authority sued in 2019, charging false advertising.
The settlement, which reflected both parties’ concerns about possible outcomes, involves the name change and a requirement that Melbourne will not say that it is in Orlando or closer than it actually is, won’t say that it is in ‘beachside Orlando’ or say that Melbourne Beach is the closest beach to Orlando.
