Miami International Airport recorded the highest freight transport traffic in the United States
International cargo grew 17% to 2.3 million tons at Miami International Airport in 2021, while domestic cargo grew 15% to half a million tons.
As the airport reported in a statement, the figures recorded in 2020 were the all-time cargo record so far and had also represented an increase from the previous year.
“I am thrilled to see MIA deliver another record year for freight transportation and expand its role as the cargo gateway of the Americas, further increasing the transportation of essential goods and vital supplies around the world. example of how Miami-Dade County is poised to exponentially increase capacity and help alleviate the supply chain crisis across the country,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
This growth does not happen by chance. It is based on two extensions that were completed in 2021 based on the explosive growth of e-commerce.
MIA has been strengthened by the expansions and renovations carried out by DHL Express and FedEx Express at their facilities at this airport, which now total 19,163 and 26,233 square meters respectively.
FedEx Express doubled its facilities at the US airport over the past year, including a new customs clearance area and a new cold chain facility, the largest in FedEx’s global network.
For its part, in November, DHL Express completed the renovation and expansion of its facilities with a disbursement of $78 million. This investment includes a state-of-the-art, fully automated parcel sorting system that has nearly doubled its sorting capacity and storage space. To cope with its growth, DHL Express has also increased its workforce by 70% in 2021, to 731 employees in the new site.
“Through the growth and success of our diverse and expansive cargo community in 2021, MIA has continued to strengthen its position among the world’s leading cargo airports,” said Ralph Cutié, Executive Director of the Department of Aviation at Miami-Dade.
During the pandemic, the airport has uniquely prepared to be a premier air cargo hub for COVID-19 vaccines. This was largely due to its years of experience as the first airport in the Western Hemisphere and second in the world to be designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a pharmaceutical cargo hub in 2015.
In 2020, MIA also won the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) award for Best Airport in North America for Cargo. This is the third time he has received this distinction in five years.
“This record would not have been possible without the strong partnership we share with every airline, federal agency and logistics provider that has adapted and maintained their services during the pandemic. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and look forward to reach even higher levels.” together in 2021, as we facilitate trade in our region and around the world,” said Lester Sola, Director and CEO of MIA.
Final passenger traffic figures for 2021 will be released shortly and Miami International Airport expects to at least approach the 2019 record of 45.9 million passengers.