Dive Brief:
- Crews will soon start work on a $1 billion upgrade to Miami International Airport, according to an announcement from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom.
- The three-level Gate D60 expansion will create 17 new aircraft gates and adjoin passenger boarding areas, according to the announcement.
- The work forms part of the $9 billion M.I.A. Plan, a 10-year capital improvement program focused on the modernization of Miami International Airport. Other work under the program includes more than $600 million on a new Concourse K and the $745 million Central Terminal redevelopment.
Dive Insight:
The work marks another step in Miami International Airport’s modernization push as passenger traffic continues to increase. American Airlines plans to run its largest summer schedule ever this year, according to a separate release.
Currently, Concourse D at the airport can support ground operations for smaller regional jets. The upgraded space will eliminate outside boarding and deliver 17 full gates to accommodate larger aircraft. The project also includes a new baggage handling system and direct third-level access to the airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international arrivals, according to the MIA release.
“The 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,” said Levine Cava in the release. “MIA ranks among the fastest-growing global hubs since the pandemic.”
In addition to the new gates, the project will also expand a single, shared boarding area to include adjoining boarding spaces for every gate. The expansion will ultimately improve flow and provide customers with more space, according to the American Airlines release.
American Airlines, which accounts for more than 60% of passenger traffic at Miami International Airport and operates roughly 400 daily departures, described the project as key for sustained growth in the area.
“Miami is an important hub and gateway for American, and it’s an essential part of our history and our future,” said Isom in the Feb. 25 MIA release. “The brand new, reimagined D60 is a transformational project that will provide a much-improved experience for our customers and our team.”
Construction will break ground in 2027 and wrap up in 2030, according to the MIA release. The extension aims to achieve LEED Silver and Envision Verified certifications, the highest ratings for resilient structures by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.
