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Miami International Airport (Web Site) (IATA: MIA, ICAO: KMIA), is a major airport located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida between the cities of Miami, Hialeah, Doral, and Miami Springs, the village of Virginia Gardens, and the unincorporated community of Fountainbleau.
The airport is a hub for passenger airlines American Airlines, American Eagle, and Executive Air; cargo airlines Arrow Air, Fine Air, UPS and Federal Express; and charter airline Miami Air. Miami International Airport handles flights to cities throughout the Americas and Europe, and is South Florida's main airport for long-haul international flights, although most domestic and low-cost carriers use Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport, which charge significantly lower fees to tenant airlines.
Miami is the premier gateway between the US and Latin America, and, along with Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Miami is one of the largest aerial gateways into the American South, owing to its proximity to tourist attractions, local economic growth, large local Latin American and European populations, and strategic location to handle connecting traffic between North America, Latin America, and Europe. In the past, it has been a hub for Eastern Air Lines, Air Florida, the original National Airlines, the original Pan Am, and Iberia. As an international gateway to the United States it ranks third, behind New York-JFK in New York City and LAX in Los Angeles.
In 2005, 31,008,453 passengers traveled through the airport.
History
Pan Am's first terminal consisted of a single hangar. The airport was the base of Pan Am's flights to Cuba, but fell into disuse when the airline switched to seaplanes in the mid-1930s. MIA was opened to flights in 1928 as Pan American Field, the operating base of Pan American Airways Corporation, on the north side of the modern airport property. After Pan Am acquired the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line, it shifted most of its operations to the Dinner Key seaplane base, leaving Pan Am Field largely unused until Eastern Air Lines began flying there in 1934, followed by National Airlines in 1937.
In 1945, the City of Miami established a Port Authority and raised bond revenue to purchase the airport, now known as 36th Street Airport, from Pan Am. It was merged with an adjoining Army airfield in 1949 and expanded further in 1951. The old terminal on 36th Street was closed in 1959 when the modern passenger terminal (since greatly expanded) opened for service.
Pan Am and Eastern remained Miami's main tenants until 1991, when both carriers went bankrupt. Their hubs at MIA were taken over by United Airlines and American Airlines. United slowly trimmed down its Miami operation through the 1990s, and eventually shut down its crew base and other operations facilities in Miami. At the same time, American expanded its presence at the airport, winning new routes to Latin America and transferring employees and equipment from its failed domestic hubs at Nashville and Raleigh-Durham. Today, Miami is American's largest air freight hub, and forms the main connecting point in the airline's north-south oriented international route network.
For many years, the airport was a common connecting point for passengers traveling from Europe to Latin America. However, stricter visa requirements for aliens in transit (a result, in part, of the September 11, 2001 attacks) have lessened MIA's role as an intercontinental connecting hub. In 2004, Iberia Airlines ended its hub operation in Miami, opting instead to run more direct flights from Spain to Central America. However Air France still has flights to Port-au-Prince using smaller A320 and ERJ-145 aircraft.
Gulfstream International Airlines operates regular flights between MIA and several airports in Cuba, the only direct airlink between the two nations. However, these flights must be booked through agents with special authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and are only generally available to government officials, journalists, researchers, professionals attending conferences, or expatriates visiting Cuban family.
Terminal, airlines, and destinations (View Terminal Map)
(Baggage Claim Map)
The main terminal at MIA is semicircular and has seven pier-shaped concourses, lettered A through H (B was demolished in 2005) in a counter-clockwise direction. Ticketing and departures are located on the upper level: immigration and baggage carousels are located on the lower level. Each gate can route arriving passengers to the main level (for domestic arrivals) or to the immigration halls downstairs (for international arrivals). Concourse E has a third-floor people mover that transports passengers to a satellite terminal.
A parking garage is located inside the terminal's curvature, and is connected to the terminal by overhead walkways. There is a heliport on top.
At present, the terminal is being dramatically altered. Concourses A, B, C, and D, which primarily house American's flights, are being merged into a single linear concourse. Portions of the new concourse have already been built as extensions of concourses A and D. To make space for completing the new terminal, the former concourse B has been already been demolished and concourse C will soon follow to accommodate the new pier. The merged complex is slated to be called the "North Terminal." The remaining "South Terminal", consisting of concourses E through H, will also be expanded. Another new concourse, Concourse J, is under construction (photo) with the support of fifteen Star Alliance and SkyTeam carriers: it will be seven stories tall and have 15 gates, with a total floor area of 1.3 million square feet (120,000 m²) including space for airline lounges and offices. American plans to use the old portion of the South Terminal to handle overflow from the North Terminal. Although this construction was originally slated for completion by 2005, it now appears more likely that the opening will be delayed until 2006 because of the ongoing need for security upgrades and other capital improvements.
Fire protection at the airport is provided by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department Station 12.
Concourse A
Concourse A is a recent addition to the airport and will eventually form part of American Airlines' North Terminal. It houses many American domestic and international flights, although all check-in counters for American are located adjacent to concourses C and D. Both American and British Airways have lounge facilities in Concourse A. On May 17, 2006, American Airlines opened their second Admirals Club lounge at Miami International in Terminal A; it is located on the mezzanine level.
- American Airlines (See Concourses C / D)
- British Airways (London-Heathrow)
- LAN Airlines (Bogotá, Caracas, Guayaquil, Santiago, Punta Cana)
- LAN Argentina (Buenos Aires-Ezeiza, Punta Cana)
- LAN Ecuador (Guaqyuil, Quito)
- LAN Peru (Lima)
- TACA (Guatemala City, Managua, Roatán, San Pedro Sula, San José (CR), San Salvador, Tegucigalpa)
- LACSA (San José (CR))
- TAM (Belém, Fortaleza, Manaus, Salvador, São Paulo-Guarulhos)
Concourse C
The airside Concourse C consists of four gates accommodating small-to-medium jet aircraft such as the Boeing 737 or Boeing 757. American uses these gates for domestic flights and some departures to Central America and the Caribbean. The Concourse C check-in area is for American's international flights. During the course of the American Airlines/North Terminal project, Concourse C will be demolished, allowing for the creation of new gates where the concourse was located.
American Airlines (Destinations in Concourse D; Belize City, Bogotá, Buenos Aires-Ezeiza, Cali, Cancún, Caracas, Guatemala City, Guayaquil, La Paz (Bolivia), Lima, London-Heathrow, Madrid, Managua, Maracaibo, Medellin, Mexico City, Montevideo [seasonal], Quito, Panama City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, San Salvador, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, São Paulo-Guarulhos, Santiago de Chile, Tegucigalpa)
Concourse D
Although Concourse D was one of the original concourses in the MIA terminal, the original portion has been mostly closed, and the concourse now consists of a new extension which will eventually form part of American Airlines' North Terminal. American uses the concourse for domestic and international flights; the Concourse D check-in area is for domestic and Caribbean flights. American operates an Admirals Club on Concourse D.
American Airlines (Atlanta, Barbados, Baltimore/Washington, Bermuda, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Eagle/Vail [seasonal], Grand Cayman, Hartford, Houston-Intercontinental, Miami, Kingston, La Romana, Las Vegas, Liberia (CR), Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montego Bay, Montréal, Nashville, New Orleans, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Oranjestad, Orlando, Philadelphia, Port au Prince, Port of Spain, Providenciales, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Raleigh/Durham, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Louis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Francisco, San Jose (CR), San Juan, San Pedro Sula, Santiago (DO), Santo Domingo, Tampa, Tegucigalpa, Toronto-Pearson, Washington-Dulles, Washington-Reagan, Willemstad)
American Eagle (Charlotte, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Columbus, Dayton, Fayetteville (AR) [begins April 10], Greensboro, Miami, Jacksonville [begins April 10], Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Richmond)
American Eagle operated by Executive Air (Cozumel [begins March 2], Fort Myers, Freeport, Jacksonville, Key West, Marsh Harbour, Nassau)
Concourse E
Model of a Pan Am flying boat in Concourse EConcourse E is divided into two sections: a pier concourse, called "low E," and a satellite terminal, called "high E," connected by a people mover. Low E is mostly used by American Airlines; high E is used by various other carriers. The Admirals Club previously operated by American in the landside portion of the concourse is closed.
- Aeroméxico (Mérida, Mexico City)
- Aerosur (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
- Air Jamaica (Kingston, Montego Bay)
- Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma)
- Alitalia (Milan-Malpensa)
- American Airlines (See Concourses C / D)
- Cayman Airways (Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman)
- Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (Panama City, Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
- LTU International (Dusseldorf, Munich)
- Martinair (Amsterdam, San José (CR))
- Mexicana (Cancún, Mexico City)
- Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
- Virgin Atlantic (London-Heathrow)
Concourse F
- Aeropostal (Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia)
- AeroHonduras (San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa)
- Air France (Cayenne, Fort-de-France, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Pointe-à-Pitre, Port-au-Prince)
- Avior (Barcelona (Ven.))
- Avianca (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin, Pereira)
- United Airlines
- Ted operated by United Airlines (Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Washington-Dulles)
Concourse G
- Aerolíneas Argentinas (Buenos Aires-Ezeiza)
- Air Canada (Montréal, Toronto-Pearson)
- AirTran Airways (Atlanta, Chicago-Midway)
- Caribbean Airlines (Port of Spain)
- Continental Airlines (Cleveland, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark)
- Continental Connection operated by Cape Air (Naples [seasonal])
- Continental Connection operated by Gulfstream International Airlines (Bimini, Freeport, Gainesville, Key West, Marsh Harbour, Nassau, North Eleuthera, Orlando, Tampa, Treasure Cay)
- Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Cleveland)
Copa Airlines (Panama City)
- El Al (Tel Aviv)
- Iberia (Madrid)
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich [seasonal])
- Northwest Airlines (Detroit, Miami [seasonal], Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
- Santa Barbara Airlines (Caracas)
- Swiss International Air Lines (Zürich)
Concourse H
- Bahamasair (Nassau, Freeport)
- Delta Air Lines (Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia)
- Delta Connection operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Orlando)
- Delta Connection operated by Comair (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky)
- Delta Connection operated by Freedom Airlines (Orlando, Tallahassee)
- US Airways (Charlotte, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh)
Concourse J
Concourse J is a concourse currently under construction and due to open in late February 2007 under Miami International Airport's South Terminal Renovation Project. The Concourse was designed by M.G.E. Architects, one of the largest Hispanic owned architecture firms in Florida. The Concourse will hold Star Alliance and SkyTeam Members. Together with Concourses G and H this area will be called the South Terminal. It will be the only pier at the airport able to accept the new Airbus A380.
Once the North and South Terminals are completed, all airlines not affiliated with either the Star Alliance, SkyTeam Alliance (South Terminal), or Oneworld (North Terminal) will be housed at the remaining Concourses E and F, this implementation has already begun at MIA with airlines formerly housed at Concourse A but not part of Oneworld alliance having been moved to Concourses E and F.
Charter Carriers
- ABC Airlines
- AirTransat
- Allegro Airlines
- Aserca Airlines
- C & T Airlines
- Champion Air
- European Air
- Falcon Air Express
Gulfstream International Airlines (Charter Flights - Charter Flight Schedule to Cuba includes: Havana, Cayo Coco, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo)
- Miami Air International
- MyTravel Airways
- North American Airlines
- Planet Airways
- Ryan International Airlines
- Skyservice (Toronto-Pearson)
Sun Country
- Wilson International Airlines
- World Airways
Most charter airlines have counters at concourse E, and use the "high E" satellite terminal for gates.
Ground transportation
MIA's only direct public transport link is to Miami-Dade Transit's Metrobus network, although free shuttles are provided to and from the Tri-Rail commuter rail's Miami Airport Station and Miami Metrorail's Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer Station. The stations are close, within 5 minutes drive from the main terminal. MDT is currently planning to link the airport by people mover to the upcoming Miami Intermodal Center, which will provide access to Metrorail as well as the future BayLink light rail to South Beach. Miami's Metrobus also serves the airport, for those passengers that do not want to ride a train. Taxis and rental cars are available as well, as is the case in most airports. Learn more about Miami’s Public Transportation.
Approximate time and cost to city center: Super Shuttle fare US$9, time depends on stops. Metro Bus $1, approx. 35-40 mins. Taxi fare $15.50, approx. 20 mins.
Cargo
The airport is one of the largest in terms of cargo in the United States, and is the main connecting point for cargo between Latin America and the world. In 2000 LAN Cargo opened up a major operations base at the airport and currently operates the second largest cargo facility at the airport second to UPS. Most major passenger airlines, such as American Airlines use the airport to carry belly cargo on passenger flights though most cargo is operated through cargo only airlines. UPS, FedEx, and DHL, all operate their major Latin American operations through MIA.
Cargo Airlines
- ABSA
- ABX
- Aerounion
- Air Tahoma
- Amerijet International
- Arrow Air
- Astar Air Cargo
- Atlas Air
- Avialeasing
- Capital Cargo
- Cargolux
- Centurion Air Cargo
- China Airlines Cargo
- Cielos del Peru
- DHL
- Estafeta Cargo
- Falcon Express Cargo
- FedEx
- Fine Air
- Florida West Cargo
- Gemini Air Cargo
- Kitty Hawk Cargo
- Korean Air Cargo (Anchorage, Dallas/Fort Worth, Seoul-Incheon)
- Masair
- Mountain Air Cargo
- Polar Air Cargo
- TAMPA Cargo
- Tradewinds Airlines
- UPS
New Services
American Airlines will begin daily non-stop service to Cozumel, Mexico on March 2, 2007.
American Airlines will begin daily non-stop service to Valencia, Venezuela on April 10, 2007.
American Eagle will begin daily non-stop service to Fayetteville, Arkansas on April 10, 2007.
After having received government approval, Domodedovo Airlines will begin thrice weekly non-stop service to Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport effective mid-2007.
Aero Condor announced plans to begin Miami - Lima service in 2007.
Aviacsa has applied with the US Department of Transportation to begin service between Miami and Cancun in 2007.
Korean Air has announced they plan on beginning passenger services to Miami, but has not set a date.
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