Picture of the week: Miami International Airport rallies frontline teams ahead of landmark 2026 events

From left: American Airlines Miami Hub Vice President J.C. Liscano, MIA Acting Deputy Director of Operations Ana Finol, Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales, MIA Deputy Director of Business Development Basil Binns, and MIA Chief of Staff Andria Muniz-Amador with frontline employees in I AM MIA Lightning Crew vests at MIA’s 2026 kickoff staff meeting. Credit: Miami International Airport

Miami International Airport (MIA) brought together more than 500 frontline employees on 12 January as Miami-Dade County leadership highlighted the airport’s 2025 achievements and prepared teams for an unprecedented year ahead. The gathering focused on readiness for major international sports and entertainment events expected to attract millions of visitors to South Florida in 2026.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava met with airport staff to recognise their contribution to operational performance during 2025 and to energise teams ahead of a demanding events calendar beginning with the College Football Playoffs National Championship. Employees were also recognised by Miami-Dade County Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales and American Airlines Miami Hub Vice President Juan Carlos Liscano for their teamwork and dedication.

Miami International Airport Director and CEO Ralph Cutie provided a review of key milestones delivered in 2025 that have strengthened the airport’s operational resilience. During the winter travel season from 19 December to 5 January, the airport handled nearly 3.3 million passengers, representing a 1.2 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

Infrastructure upgrades completed during 2025 included the opening of the 2,240 space Ibis Garage, increasing parking capacity by 30 percent. The airport also delivered the largest single deployment of Enhanced Passenger Processing at any US airport, improving arrivals for US citizens. One of the busiest passenger screening checkpoints was upgraded with TSA technology designed to be 30 percent faster, while biometric eGates by CLEAR were introduced at two major checkpoints.

Further improvements included the modernisation of 38 elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, bringing 95 percent of the airport’s units into operation. Miami International Airport also completed its 44th bathroom renovation, reaching 23 percent completion across the programme, and modernised 32 passenger boarding bridges, representing 25 percent of the total inventory.

Mayor Levine Cava said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with our dedicated workforce at MIA, learning more about how they support our global hub that welcomes more than 150,000 visitors and 1,500 flights daily. Thanks to the leadership of Director Cutie and the support of our airlines and partners, MIA is prepared to shine in the global spotlight in 2026.”

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