Tag Archives: Miami International Airport

American carries legacy forward with $1 billion investment in MIA concourse expansion

Building on nearly 40 years of commitment to Miami, American Airlines and its partners are defining the next generation of travel at Miami International Airport (MIA). Today, CEO Robert Isom and airline officials joined representatives from Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) and local, state, federal and community partners to unveil plans and renderings for a reimagined Concourse D, which will enhance operations, elevate the customer experience and make international travel more seamless.

Americanโ€™s legacy, Miamiโ€™s future

Set to break ground in 2027, the Gate D60 project charts the next chapter of travel at MIA, with a new concourse expansion designed for a premier airport. Currently equipped to support ground operations for smaller regional jets, the new three-level Concourse D extension will create 17 new aircraft gates to accommodate larger aircraft and eliminate outside boarding. The project will expand a single shared boarding area to include adjoining boarding spaces for every gate to improve flow and provide customers with more space and comfort.

The project will expand a single shared boarding area to include adjoining boarding spaces for every gate to provide customers with more space and comfort. 

The expansion makes international travel more seamless with future capability to accommodate international arrivals and direct third-floor access to the MIA customs hall. The new concourse will feature bright, expansive spaces with sprawling indoor palm trees, as well as new dining and shopping options for travelers.

โ€œThe D60 expansion is one of the most monumental customer service improvements within our unprecedented airport-wide modernization plan, which will transform the passenger experience at MIA from the cabin to the curb over the next five years,โ€ said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Powering global connectivity

Americanโ€™s current operations are around 400 departures a day. The airline plans to run its largest summer schedule ever this year and operate more than 380 peak daily flights from MIA to 155 destinations across 45 countries. American accounts for more than 60% of traffic at MIA and continues its streak of record flying. MIA serves as the airlineโ€™s international gateway, delivering an industry-leading network to Latin America and the Caribbean and giving customers access to more than 90 unique destinations, served only by American at MIA, including new service this year to Milan, Italy, and Bimini, Bahamas.

โ€œAmerican and Miami-Dade have built a partnership across decades that intertwines our success and vitality. We share a vision and legacy that has elevated Miami into the leading global gateway it is today โ€” and positions us for exciting growth ahead,โ€ said Americanโ€™s VP of MIA Operations Juan Carlos Liscano. โ€œOur continued momentum is powered by 15,500 MIA-based team members who reflect the vibrancy of the communities we serve and embody our pride in being Miamiโ€™s hometown airline. This expansion is a testament to our commitment for the long term โ€” thanks to our customers, our team and our partners at Miami-Dade County.โ€

Propelling Miami-Dade forward

American has grown side by side with Miami for decades โ€” providing global connectivity that puts Miami on the world stage, drives business development, attracts major events and fuels the local economy.

American is the largest for-profit employer in the county and partners with schools like George T. Baker Aviation Technical College and Florida Memorial University Wyman School of Aviation to build a pipeline of local talent. The airline proudly supports numerous charitable organizations across the region.

The new concourse will feature bright spaces with sprawling indoor palm trees, as well as new dining and shopping options.

Liscano just completed a two-year tenure as Chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council โ€” the countyโ€™s official economic development organization committed to building a stronger Miami. During his tenure, business support to the Beacon Council increased by 57%, with two consecutive years of more than $1 million in support to the organization. His tenure was also marked by the first back-to-back $2 billion in capital investment and record job growth โ€” paving the way for a brighter future for those who call South Florida home.

Premium options and seamless travel

As part of Americanโ€™s customer-first focus, the airline has invested in MIA to elevate the customer journey and provide premium options for customers who expect more when they travel.

American recently announced its plans to open a new, state-of-the-art Flagshipยฎ lounge, along with a major expansion of its Admirals Clubยฎ facilities at MIA. Over the past year, the airline has installed new self-service kiosks that make check-in faster than ever and implemented technology that has saved thousands of customer connections systemwide.

The airline has made significant progress with its federal partners at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in programs like TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) that make security screening easier and quicker, while upholding the highest levels of security.

Screenshot

MIA now offering pre-scheduled TSA screening times

Miami International Airport (MIA) has made this annoucement:

American Airlines passengers flying out of Miami International Airport can now schedule their TSA checkpoint screening time with MIA Reserve, a free reservation service.
During the six-month pilot program that began today with security technology firm Pangiam, software and consultancy company Copenhagen Optimization, secure identity platform CLEAR, and American Airlines, reserved screening times are available daily to American Airlines passengers at MIAโ€™s TSA Checkpoint 4 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are limited and can be scheduled up to 72 hours before a flight. It is recommended that passengers reserve their spot early to secure their preferred appointment time. Appointments are available up to 60 minutes before domestic flights and up to 90 minutes before international flights.
โ€œAs MIA continues to set new records in passenger traffic, Iโ€™m proud to see that we are also exploring new ways to streamline the airport experience for our visitors,โ€ said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. โ€œMIA Reserve has the potential to help many of our travelers get through the security checkpoint faster than ever before.โ€
How it works:
  1. Sign up at MIA Reserve up to 72 hours before your ๏ฌ‚ight or when you arrive at MIA.
  2. Select American Airlines as your airline and enter your destination, ๏ฌ‚ight number, full name, number of people in your party, and contact information to reserve your spot, and then you’ll receive a QR code by email to use when you arrive at your scheduled MIA Reserve time.
  3. Once at MIA, remember to check your bags or complete any additional check-ins before your appointment time.
  4. Go to Checkpoint 4 near Door 7 and show the checkpoint staff your MIA Reserve QR code so they can direct you to your lane.
If a traveler didnโ€™t pre-schedule an MIA Reserve time before arriving at MIA, they can still make a reservation by using their smartphone to scan the QR code on the MIA Reserve signs at Checkpoint 4 and then setting up an appointment.
A grace period of 10 minutes per appointment allows MIA Reserve customers to arrive at the queue line any time within the 10-minute window after their appointment time. Anyone arriving more than 10 minutes past their appointment time must enter through the regular queue lanes. Checkpoint wait times may vary by date and time, and expedited service is not guaranteed.
Passengers traveling with a group may book on behalf of the other passengers in their traveling party by specifying the total party size during the reservation process. The maximum group size eligible to enter under one appointment is 10 passengers.
โ€œMIA and American Airlines are leaders in innovating on behalf of travelers, so Pangiam is proud to partner with them on MIA Reserve to make the security experience more predictable,โ€ said Pangiam CEO Kevin McAleenan. โ€œTogether with CLEAR and Copenhagen Optimization weโ€™re deploying the best reservation system for airport security in the nation at MIA.โ€
MIA Reserve is only available to general screening passengers to help provide a better screening experience for those without a trusted traveler program. All TSA PreCheck passengers flying American Airlines will continue to be screened at MIAโ€™s TSA Checkpoint 1 to receive their PreCheck bene๏ฌts, such as not having to remove their shoes and electronics.
โ€œWe are excited to partner with American Airlines and Pangiam on this six-month pilot program for MIA Reserve, which could pave the way for even shorter checkpoint wait times at MIA,โ€ said Ralph Cutiรฉ, MIA Director and CEO.
MIA Reserve is the latest customer service enhancement rolled out at the airport this year. Just before Labor Day weekend, MIA reopened valet parking for the first time since the pandemic began. Also, beginning in October, MIA will launch the first phase of biometric boarding at its passenger gates, which will allow travelers to board international flights with just the quick, touchless click of a camera.

RED Air DC-9-82 (MD-82) makes a hard landing at Miami, exits the runway and catches fire

Flight L5 203 from Santo Domingo to Miami on June 21, 2022, made a harding landing at MIA, gear collapsed and exited the runway and caught fire (WO). 3 people received minor injuries exiting the aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: RED Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) HI1064 (msn 53027) MIA (Tony Storck). Image: 956267.

RED Air McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) (HI1064, msn 53027) operating as flight L5 203 from Santo Domingo to Miami made an emergency landing at Miami International Airport this afternoon around 5:30 pm (1730) local time. 140 passengers and 11 crew members were on board.

The aircraft made a hard landing, the nose gear reportedly collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway impacting some signage. The aircraft caught on fire and burned. Minor injuries to three people while evacuating.

The two southern runways at MIA are closed.

https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/plane-catches-fire-at-miami-international-airport-after-crash-landing-at-least-4-hurt/

The airframe was originally delivered to American Airlines as N16545 on December 18, 1990.

The aircraft is a probable insurance write off (WO) due to the damage and fire.

Videos:

Crashed and Destroyed aircraft photo gallery:

Alaska Airlines adds Cleveland and returns to Miami, will also fly Salt Lake City – Anchorage

Alaska Airlines made this announcement:

With the official start of summer just days away, Alaska Airlines is once again expanding its horizons with the launch of five new routes this week as many of us are eager for fun in the sun in different places.

We’re now flying to two new cities: Cleveland and Miami with daily nonstop service from our hometown hub in Seattle/Tacoma. Plus, we keep growing in Boise with new nonstops to both Idaho Falls and Las Vegas. And we have a new nonstop flight between Anchorage and Salt Lake City.

We begin flying between Seattle/Tacoma and Cleveland on June 16. This summer, we’re the only airline connecting the vibrant city in Northeast Ohio with nonstop service to the Pacific Northwest. Cleveland becomes the third city we’ll serve in the Buckeye State with daily nonstops to Seattle joining Columbus and Cincinnati.

Alaska also launched June 16 its new daily nonstop flight between Seattle/Tacoma and Miami. The popular South Florida vacation spot becomes the airline’s 100thnonstop destination from Seattle โ€“ a cultural hub for travelers around the world with its incredible nightlife, art, music, architecture and food. Since 2012, we’ve provided nonstop service between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, just to the north of Miami.

Alaska Airlines returns to Miami International Airport for the first time in 10 years.

In Boise, Alaska keeps growingย with a pair of new flights. Starting on June 16, Alaska now offers daily nonstop service to both Idaho Falls and Las Vegas from the Idaho capital city. With these additional routes, Alaska flies an average of 31 daily departures fromย Boiseย to 15 destinations โ€“ all nonstop.

The added route joins its existing flights from the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene andย Pullman/Moscowย areas to link all key population centers across the state toย Boise,

Starting June 18, Alaska will connect two summertime spots that are famous for outdoor adventures: Anchorage and Salt Lake City. Alaska will fly nonstop every week. This summer, Alaska will offer a wide variety of 22 nonstop destinations from Anchorage.

MIA made this announcement:

Water cannon salute to Alaska Airlines plane

Water cannon salute to Alaska Airlines plane

Officials from Alaska Airlines and Miami International Airport doing the coffee exchange as a symbolic gesture representative of both cities: Miami and Seattle. From left: Thomas McMahon, Director of Airport Operations, Alaska Airlines; David Asher, Senior Network Analyst, Alaska Airlines; and, Dan Agostino, Assistant Director of Operations, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Officials from Alaska Airlines and Miami International Airport doing the coffee exchange as a symbolic gesture representative of both cities: Miami and Seattle. From left: Thomas McMahon, Director of Airport Operations, Alaska Airlines; David Asher, Senior Network Analyst, Alaska Airlines; and, Dan Agostino, Assistant Director of Operations, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left: Thomas McMahon, Director of Airport Operations, Alaska Airlines; David Asher, Senior Network Analyst, Alaska Airlines; and, Dan Agostino, Assistant Director of Operations, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left: Thomas McMahon, Director of Airport Operations, Alaska Airlines; David Asher, Senior Network Analyst, Alaska Airlines; and, Dan Agostino, Assistant Director of Operations, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

On June 16, Alaska Airlines resumed daily Seattle-Miami service for the first time since 2012, making Miami the airlineโ€™s 100th nonstop destination from its ยญยญยญยญยญยญhometown airport in Seattle and ยญยญยญยญgiving South Florida residents another travel option to the Pacific Northwest. Alaska Airlines will serve its newest route with Boeing 737-8 and -9 aircraft that seat 159 and 178 passengers, respectively.

Alaska Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

MIA ranked Americaโ€™s busiest international airport

Miami International Airport became the busiest U.S. gateway for international passengers while retaining its position as the busiest for international freight in 2021, according to preliminary 2021 airport rankings published this week by Airports Council International (ACI). MIA welcomed more than 13 million international passengers in 2021, moving it from 2nd place in 2020 to the top ranking in the U.S. and 11th place in the world. MIA remained the busiest airport in the U.S. and the ninth busiest in the world for international tonnage handled, at more than two million metric tons.

The global gateway is also now home to the ninth-busiest airfield in the world, with a total of 387,973 takeoffs and landings by passenger and cargo aircraft in 2021, for a 54-percent increase over 2020 โ€“ the largest increase among the 10 busiest airports worldwide. MIAโ€™s ninth-place finish is its highest global ranking in aircraft operations in decades, and a giant leap from 24th in 2020 and 30th in 2019.

MIA finished 2021 with a total of 37.2 million passengers, which was twice its total of 18.6 million in 2020. The global gateway also handled 2.7 million tons of freight in 2021, shattering its previous record of 2.3 million tons in 2020 by 17 percent, for its second consecutive year of growth.

ACIโ€™s world airport rankings are based on the preliminary compilation of 2021 data from airports around the world. Due to ACIโ€™s reach as the trade association of the worldโ€™s airports, the rankings reflect the most updated airport data used by the industry and include passenger traffic, cargo volumes, and aircraft movements.

As traffic surges, MIA reopens concourses E and F areas

Miami International Airport made this announcement:

The Fall season is bringing a change in the weather and a change in airline locations at Miami International Airport. To accommodate for itsย rising passenger numbers, MIA reopened its Concourse F gates on November 1ย and will reopen its Concourse E international arrivals facility on November 5, for the first time since the pandemic began.

Passengers arriving on international flights at MIAโ€™s concourses E and F (except those by American Airlines) willย soonย have their passports screened at the reopened Concourse E federal inspection area and exit into the international greeterโ€™s lobby located on the ground level near Door 11.

Fourteen airlines that previously used the Concourse D international arrivals facility will now use the reopened Concourse E facility. To see the international bag claim area for your flight, visit MIAโ€™sย online flight information board.

All inbound international passengers at MIA are screened withย Simplified Arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Protectionโ€™s enhanced passport clearance process that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks already required for admission into the U.S.ย The expedited, touchless process screens as many as 10 passengers per minute.

Additionally, Frontier Airlines has relocated from MIAโ€™s Concourse G to the newly refurbished and reopened Concourse F. While Concourse F was closed over the last year and a half, the 17-gate facility was upgraded with new lighting, flooring, seating, painting, ceiling tiles, and signage.ย This month,ย Frontierย is launching Miami service to eight domestic and two international cities, for a total of 40 destinations served from MIA โ€“ its most ever.

Miami International Airport enters November with three airlines re-launching Miami service for the first time since the pandemic began and two other airlines making their MIA debuts.

Finnairย began twice-weekly Stockholm service on October 23 and will restart Helsinki service three times per week on November 30. Fellow European carrierย Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)ย also returns to MIA this month with three weekly flights to Copenhagen and twice-weekly flights to Stockholm on November 8 and 9 respectively, followed by weekly Oslo service scheduled to restart on November 11.ย Air Canadaย brought Canada flights back to MIA on November 1 with daily Toronto service, which is scheduled to expand to four daily flights in December. Air Canada is also scheduled to restart Montreal-Miami service back on November 6 with two weekly flights, followed by an increase to two daily flights in December.

A pair of charter passenger airlines kicked off November with Miami service launches as well. New U.S. charter airlineย Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX)ย began three weekly charter flights to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on November 1, and plans to start five weekly flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and daily flights to Havana, Cuba later this month. In December, GlobalX is scheduled to launch daily flights from MIA to Las Vegas and Nassau, Bahamas. Dominican carrierย RED Airย started charter service at MIA on November 1 with daily flights to Santo Domingo, with plans to add a second daily flight on November 21.

Four more airlines are set to begin flying south this winter, with Aer Lingus (Dublin), KLM (Amsterdam), Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca), and Sunwing (Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City) scheduled to make their MIA returns in December and January.

The Miami service launches come as the U.S. government begins to allowย vaccinated non-U.S. citizensย from foreign destinations to enter the countryย starting November 8, for the first time since early 2020.

Note: Alaska Airlines also announced it was returning to MIA.

 

Terminal Map:

Spirit Airlines launches its first flights to Miami

Spirit Airlines today launched service at Miamiย International Airport (MIA), with its first flight arriving fromย Atlantic City, N.J. (ACY) (above) and its first departure bound for Port-au-Prince, Haitiย (PAP).

Spirit’s presence at MIA begins with service to nine destinations, which will grow to 31 nonstop options by the time expansions in November and January are complete. The carrier will serve 20 markets domestically and 11 internationally.

Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included the announcement of theย Free Spirit Flyaway, a ย nationwide promotion in which Spirit will give away 31 pairs of roundtrip tickets in honor of each of its nonstop routes from MIA. Even betterโ€”the only requirement for entering for a chance to win is to be a member of theย Free Spiritยฎ loyalty program, which costs nothing to join and offers the fastest way to earn rewards and status.2

Spirit’s full schedule is large enough to earn the airline a position as MIA’s second largest carrier. Adding service at MIA is the next chapter of Spirit’s story as the carrier steps up to meet the demand for high-value travel to and fromย South Florida. The carrier is staffing MIA with more than 200 new Spirit Family Members and supporting the expansion with 16 brand new fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo planes being delivered this year. Next year, Spirit plans to accept another 24 new planes into the airline’s Fit Fleetยฎ, which is among the youngest in the industry.

Spirit Airlines Routes from MIA

Destination:

Available:

Start Date:

Destination:

Available:

Start Date:

Atlantic City (ACY)

Daily

Oct. 6

Detroit (DTW)

Daily

Nov. 17

Atlanta (ATL)

Daily

Oct. 6

Hartford-Bradley (BDL)

Daily

Nov. 17

Baltimore (BWI)

Daily

Oct. 6

Houston (IAH)

Daily

Nov. 17

Bogotรก (BOG)*

Daily

Oct. 7

Las Vegas (LAS)

Daily

Nov. 17

Guatemala City (GUA)*

4x per week

Oct. 7

Myrtle Beach (MYR)

Daily

Nov. 17

Medellรญn (MDE)*

Daily

Oct. 6

New York LaGuardia (LGA)

2x per day

Nov. 17

Newark (EWR)

Daily

Oct. 6

Orlando (MCO)

Daily

Nov. 17

Port-au-Prince (PAP)*

4x per week

Oct. 6

Philadelphia (PHL)

Daily

Nov. 17

Santo Domingo (SDQ)*

3x per week

Oct. 6

Raleigh-Durham (RDU)

Daily

Nov. 17

Barranquilla (BAQ)*

Daily

Nov. 17

San Pedro Sula (SAP)*

3x per week

Nov. 18

Boston (BOS)

Daily

Nov. 17

San Juan (SJU)

Daily

Nov. 17

Cali (CLO)*

Daily

Nov. 17

Tegucigalpa-Palmerola (XPL)*

4x per week

Nov. 17

Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

Daily

Nov. 17

San Josรฉ, C.R. (SJO)*

4x per week

Jan. 5

Cleveland (CLE)

Daily

Nov. 17

San Salvador (SAL)*

3x per week

Jan. 6

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)

Daily

Nov. 17

St. Thomas (STT)

3x per week

Jan. 6

Denver (DEN)

Daily

Nov. 17

*Subject to government approval.

Top Copyright Photo: N930NK operated the first flight to MIA. L. Apso.

MIA is first U.S. airport to test COVID-19 detector dogs

Miami International Airport has made this announcement:

As part of its ongoing effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19,ย Miamiย International Airport is now getting help from some furry new friends: detector dogs specially trained with protocols created by the Global Forensic and Justice Center (GFJC) atย Florida International Universityย (FIU).

Thanks to a resolution sponsored byย Miami-Dade Countyย Commissionerย Kionne L. McGheeย and approved by the Board of County Commissioners inย March 2021, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department is partnering with the GFJC at FIU and American Airlines to host a 30-day COVID-19 detector dog pilot program at MIA, making it the first U.S. airport to test COVID-sniffing canines. The dogs are deployed at an employee security checkpoint.

Photo: From left to right: Dr. Kenneth G. Furton, FIU Provost and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners, Miami-Dade County; Ralph Cutie, MIA Interim Director; Raquel Regalado, Commissioner, Board of County Commissioners; Kionne L. McGhee, Commissioner, Board of County Commissioners; and, Morris Copeland, Chief Community Services Officer, Miami-Dade County.

“This pandemic has pushed us to innovate to stop the spread. I applaud Commissioner McGhee and the County Commission for thinking outside the box with this initiative,” saidย Miami-Dade Countyย Mayorย Daniella Levine Cava. “We’re proud to do everything we can to protect our residents. I look forward to seeing how the airport tests their skills andย expanding the pilot program to other County facilities.”

Detector dogs have the potential for immediate detection and response to the virus in public spaces like airports. After hundreds of training sessions at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus inย Miamiย this year, the detector dogs achieved accuracy rates from 96 to 99 percent for detecting COVID-19 in published peer-reviewed, double-blind trials. After the pilot program ends in September, FIU will continue to work on the accuracy and specificity, which will assist in COVID variant detection, of the canine following scientifically validated methods.

“COVID-19ย has reshaped the world and lifestyle we are used to,” saidย Miami-Dade Countyย Commissionerย Kionne L. McGhee. “It has forced our businesses to become innovative in how they do business. It has forced our faith-based organizations and schools to bring forth a different approach to how congregations and students are taught. Even our families have had to readjust and become more creative in how they socialize and celebrate special occasions. Therefore, we must not stay behind in our approach to fighting the spread of this virus. I am proud to be the sponsor of a program that will bring about crucial life-saving benefits for our communities.”

The two dogs in the pilot program at MIA โ€“ Cobra (a Belgian Malinois) andย One Bettaย (a Dutch Shepherd) โ€“ have been trained to alert to the scent of COVID-19. The virus causes metabolic changes in a person that result in the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs are excreted by a person’s breath and sweat, producing a scent that trained dogs can detect. The metabolic changes are common for all people, regardless of their individual scents. If a dog indicates an individual is carrying the odor of the virus, that person is directed to get a rapid COVID test.

“Being able to apply decades of research in this way, to provide an additional layer of protection to airport employees atย Miamiย International Airport, it’s humbling,” says Dr.ย Kenneth G. Furton, FIU Provost and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “These dogs are another valuable tool we can leverage to help us live with this ongoing pandemic.”

Numerous studies have demonstrated that detector dogs are one of the most reliable tools available to identify substances based on the odors they emit. Previous studies include demonstrating that detector dogs can reliably detect persons that have diseases, such as diabetes, epilepsy, and certain cancers. Detector dogs have long been used by federal and local agencies at MIA to detect prohibited currency, drugs, explosives, and agriculture.

“The COVID-19 detector dog pilot program is the latest effort by MIA to serve as a test bed for new innovations in safety and security,” said MIA Interim Directorย Ralph Cutiรฉ. “We are proud to do our part in the fight against COVID-19, and we hope to see this pilot program potentially benefit the rest ofย Miami-Dade Countyย and airports across the country.”

American to add new routes from the Miami hub this winter

American Airlines has made this announcement for its Miami International Airport (MIA) hub:

  • American strengthens its presence at MIA with two new international destinations in Mexico and Colombia in December.
  • Six new domestic routes launch this winter, further connecting South Florida to the broadest global network.
  • By the end of the year, American will offer more than 130 nonstop destinations from MIA, the most of any carrier.

This winter, American Airlines will continue to grow its footprint at its largest international gateway, Miami International Airport (MIA), adding two new international destinations and six new domestic routes. With todayโ€™s announcement, American further solidifies its position as the largest airline at MIA, operating 341 peak daily flights this winter.

San Andres Island, Colombia (ADZ)

San Andres Island, Colombia (ADZ)

Better connectivity to Latin America and the Caribbean

In December, the carrier will launch two new international routes from MIA: Chetumal, Mexico (CTM); and San Andres Island, Colombia (ADZ). With these new routes, American will serve 28 destinations in Mexico โ€“ the most of any U.S. carrier โ€“ and seven in Colombia.

 

Destination Frequency Flights Begin
ADZ Wednesdays and Saturdays Dec. 4
CTM Wednesdays and Saturdays Dec. 1

Photo: Miami International Airport.

Six new ways to head south this winter

This winter, Americanโ€™s customers will enjoy the sun, sand and the world-famous nightlife of South Florida on their terms with the most options and convenient schedule of any airline. The carrier is adding daily seasonal service between MIA and Salt Lake City (SLC); and seasonal Saturday service to Albany, New York (ALB); Burlington, Vermont (BTV); Madison, Wisconsin (MSN); Syracuse, New York (SYR); and Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL).

 

Destination Frequency Flights Operate
ALB Saturdays Nov. 6 โ€“ April 2
BTV Saturdays Nov. 6 โ€“ April 2
MSN Saturdays Nov. 6 โ€“ April 2
SLC Daily Dec. 16 โ€“ April 4
SYR Saturdays Nov. 6 โ€“ April 2
TUL Saturdays Year-round beginning Nov. 6

 

In addition to these new routes, current daily seasonal service Oklahoma City (OKC) becomes year-round. Daily seasonal service between MIA and Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) and Milwaukee (MKE) will operate between Nov. 2 and April 4. Finally, year-round Saturday service to Fayetteville, Arkansas (XNA) begins Nov. 6.

Earlier this summer, American launched new, three-times-weekly service from MIA to Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV), as well as new domestic service to Huntsville, Alabama (HSV); Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT); Milwaukee (MKE); Portland, Maine (PWM); and Rochester, New York (ROC). Service between MIA and Bangor, Maine (BGR) launched July 3. Starting Sept. 7, American will also be the first and only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service to Paramaribo, Suriname (PBM). Flights will operate five times per week with a convenient schedule for customers traveling across the United States to connect through MIA.

MIA sets a new record for cargo shipments in 2020

Miami International Airport set a new record for cargo volume in 2020 with 2.32 million tons, which was 57,382 more tons than its total in 2019.

MIA finished the year exceptionally strong with an average of 210,000 tons in October, November and December, making them the airportโ€™s busiest months ever. MIA also ended 2020 with a record 59,000 cargo-only flights, which was nearly 8,000 more flights than in 2019.

As the busiest U.S. airport for international freight and perishable products, MIA continued to be a global hub for essential supplies and e-commerce throughout the pandemic. MIA was also uniquely prepared to be a leading air cargo hub for the COVID-19 vaccines, thanks to years of experience as the first airport in the Western Hemisphere and only the second in the world to be designatedย by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as aย pharmaceutical freight hubย in 2015.ย In 2020, MIA also won the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) award for theย Best Airport in North America for Cargoย – the third time MIA has received this award in the last five years.

โ€œOur record-setting year would not have been possible without the strong partnership we share with each and every airline, federal agency and logistics provider that adapted and maintained their services throughout the pandemic. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and look forward to reaching even greater heights together in 2021, as we facilitate more essential trade and commerce across our region and the globe.”
Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO