MIA wins approval for US$5bn modernization

A new capital improvement program at Miami International Airport (MIA) will involve up to US$5bn worth of airport-wide modernization projects over the next five to 15 years.

Approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the modernization will pave the way for growth in passenger and cargo traffic at MIA – projected to reach 77 million travelers and more than 4,000,000 tons of freight per year by 2040.

“MIA is Miami-Dade County’s leading economic engine and its busiest gateway, generating nearly US$31bn in business revenue and welcoming 96% of all visitors to our community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A Gimenez. “The goal of this new capital program is for MIA to provide even greater value, convenience and efficiency to our visitors, airline partners and cargo operators.”

The comprehensive program is designed to address all of the airport’s future capacity and operational needs through five sub-programs that include: a redevelopment of Central Terminal concourses E and F; an expanded South Terminal (concourses H and J); renovated Concourse D gates to accommodate additional wide- and narrow-body aircraft, as well as larger regional jets; two new hotels (one which will include a business and conference center with exhibition space) and other miscellaneous landside projects; and expanded aircraft parking positions and warehouses for cargo operations.

The multi-billion-dollar program is the latest in a string of historic milestones for MIA, which celebrated its 90^th anniversary last September. In 2018, the airport welcomed more than 45 million annual passengers for the first time ever, an increase of nearly one million over the previous year. MIA served 21.8 million international passengers in 2018, making it once again the busiest airport in Florida for international travelers and the third busiest US gateway in that category.