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Dear Friends, Clients & Colleagues,
We hope our Insights Newsletter finds you and yours well.
Today, we bring you an insightful update from the January 10th Miami-Dade Airport and Economic Development Committee meeting – Chaired by Commissioner Keon Hardeman. During which, Commissioner Cohen Higgins, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and engagement in the airport’s endeavors – requested Aviation Director & CEO Ralph Cutié address public misconceptions and ensure transparency in operations.
Director Ralph Cutié laid out the transformative times at MIA, highlighting Madam Mayor Daniela Levine Cava’s recognition of the airport’s significant economic impact, her commitment to its successful operation, and her acknowledging the influence of perception in government and politics on the airport’s operations and public image.
Record-Breaking Achievements: 2023 was a landmark year for MIA, with an all-time high of 52.3 million passengers, marking a 3% increase from 2022. This achievement is further highlighted by MIA hosting six of the top ten busiest days in its history during December 2023 and January 2024. Such milestones underscore MIA’s pivotal role in our community’s development and prosperity.
Global Recognition: MIA’s impact extends beyond our shores, ranking 2nd in the U.S. for international passengers and within the top 25 globally. With an average of 1100-1200 flights daily and peaking at nearly 1300, the airport’s bustling activity is a testament to its operational prowess. Additionally, MIA leads in cargo volume, further cementing its position as a global aviation hub.
Operational Excellence: Despite the challenges of managing one of the busiest airports in the world, our airport continues to excel in operational efficiency. This includes maintaining competitive landing fees and ensuring smooth passenger experiences through innovative solutions like biometric boarding.
Unprecedented Infrastructure Expansion: A staggering $7 billion, 15-year Capital Improvement program – encompassing over 150 projects – is set to revolutionize our airport. Key highlights include the South Terminal expansion, the first of its kind in over two decades, and the Central Terminal Redevelopment. These initiatives are bringing state-of-the-art facilities to our community, enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience.
Significant Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives: One of the key projects highlighted was the terminal-wide roof replacement, which will cover approximately 430,000 square feet. Notably, this project will integrate solar panels, potentially enabling the airport to generate up to two megawatts, and possibly even four megawatts of power. This and other initiatives demonstrate Madam Mayor Levine Cava’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and renewable energy, signifying a major step towards a greener, more sustainable airport infrastructure.
Personally, Marile, the kids and I happily embarked on our holiday travels on December 23, MIA’s busiest day in the airport’s history, serving an astounding 195,000 passengers. We were impressed by the exceptional organization and smooth flow of the airport operations, a remarkable testament to the efficiency and leadership of MIA especially amidst peak travel times.
As MIA gears up for the future and opportunities, be assured we will share with you our insights and analysis of these transformative changes. Meanwhile, thank you … let us know if this information has been useful.
Warmest personal regards,
Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq.
Founder & Managing Partner