✈️ MIA: Innovating To Become A Smart Airport

Airport of the Future: How one of the busiest airports in the country is turning into a smart & modern airport

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Learn about Miami International Airport's expansion plans and ongoing modernization and innovation efforts in our latest On Site video feature with airport director Ralph Cutié.

For Miami native Ralph Cutié, leading one of the busiest airports in the country is a point of pride.

Miami International Airport is the top economic engine for the state of Florida, representing nearly $120 billion in business revenue and 700,000 jobs to the local community.

As it rapidly approaches its 100th anniversary, it is now undergoing hundreds of projects to modernize and innovate the passenger and employee experience at MIA.

“By the year 2040, our airport will be transformed,” Cutié told Opportunity Miami in our latest On Site video feature. “What I would want people to feel when they arrive and when they leave is that they arrived at a first-class, world-class airport, and when they leave, they want to come back.”

That transformation will span over 15 years to the tune of more than nine billion dollars and hundreds of projects that include infrastructure improvements, sustainability initiatives, and technological advancements aimed at enhancing efficiency and customer experience.

“What we've done is we've mapped out every single passenger touchpoint to make sure that they have the best experience possible,” he added. Watch his interview here.

A LOOK AT THE PROJECTS

About $1.7 billion of the plan will go towards modernization, while the other $7.4 to capital improvements. If you visit MIA today, you will already see some of the major renovation projects underway with signs that read: Modernization in Action. Part of the modernization plans include expanding the South Terminal and additional North Terminal gates; there will be more than a dozen new gates with floating bridges and improved concession areas, lounges, and natural lighting. Infrastructure upgrades consist of over 150 capital projects, more than 200 bathroom renovations, and 600+ conveyances such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.

“You're talking about hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of projects that are individually being worked on to make sure that our airport is better,” Cutié noted.

A SMART AIRPORT

As part of its innovation initiatives, the airport is working to incorporate biometric boarding which will increase efficiency at checkpoints and gates. MIA and American Airlines partnered on a pilot program for autonomous wheelchairs. A virtual queueing system allows passengers to reserve a checkpoint time, while a self-service bag drop would reduce the heavy lifting for ticketing agents, “smart” elevators and escalators would include sensors that could detect issues before breakdowns and interactive terminal windows would display flight information and other details.

Outdoors, robotic lawnmowers would free up staff for other tasks around the airport and MIA is part of a task force on electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft. Additionally, as part of the mission to incorporate future technologies, MIA will integrate cutting-edge aviation technology and evaluate other new technologies with its dedicated Innovation Division formed just a couple of years ago.

“We want to always try to be on the cutting edge of technology for any kind of innovation that will help our customers have a better experience,” he responded when asked about the importance of having an innovation team. “We are 100% all in when it comes to innovating the airport. And that's the way of the future.”

LEADING IN SUSTAINABILITY

MIA is already a leader in energy conservation, with LED lighting upgrades and water-efficient fixtures that help to reduce energy costs. The airport also has a partnership with Florida Power & Light to install zero-emissions equipment over the next two decades. The solar panel installation on rooftops and parking garages is expected to generate nearly seven megawatts of power for the airport.

MIA is the first airport in the country to actively use alternative fuels with plans to cut operational emissions by 50% by 2030.

MIA’S RECORD GROWTH AND FUTURE

The airport has experienced three consecutive record-breaking years in passenger volume, reaching nearly 56 million in 2024, and is projected to see 77 million by 2040. And that’s just on the passenger side.

Its cargo operations moved nearly three million tons last year and experienced five consecutive record-breaking years in terms of volume. It is also the top airport in the country for international freight and third for total cargo, exporting more than 60% of imported fish, fruits, and vegetables (and handles 91% of all flowers entering the U.S.).

“So not only are we one of the busiest passenger volume airports in the world, but we're also one of the premier cargo airports in the world,” Cutié said.

With the 15-year improvement plan, the goal is for the modernization efforts to improve overall airport operations and expand facilities to accommodate future growth and demand.

“We are constantly growing. In the next five, ten, 15 years you're going to see a completely transformed Miami International Airport,” he said.

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P.S.

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