Mia S New International Arrivals Facility Opens July 31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Greg Chin

July 24, 2012Communications Director

305.876.7017

MIA’S NEW INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS FACILITY OPENS JULY 31

North Terminal international Arrivals Facility

For hi-res images, go to and scroll down.

(Miami-Dade County, FL)–Beginning July 31, 2012, international passengers flying Miami International Airport hub carrier American Airlines and all other airlines in concourses D, E and F will be welcomed to the U.S. by a new three-level, 400,000-square-foot international arrivals facility twice the size of the existing Concourse E facility. The dazzling new area is located in the middle of North Terminal and is adjacent to the Concourse D skytrain, for quick access from any of the 47 gates in North Terminal within four minutes.

Upon arrival at the new facility, international travelers will be greeted by a passport control area featuring 72 lanes that can process 2,000 passengers per hour – twice the capacity of Concourse E’s 36 lanes. MIA is also one of the only U.S. airports with six dedicated lanes for Global Entry, which provides expedited processing for travelers who have registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Once processed, passengers will collect their checked bags in a spacious new second-level baggage claim area and then exit on either the second level for connecting flights or to the first level greeter’s lobby. Befitting for one of the top international gateways to the U.S., the terrazzo floor of the new greeter’s lobby features a rendering of the globe titled “Gateway of the World.”

North Terminal’s new international arrivals facility opens at a time when visitors to Miami-Dade County are at record-breaking numbers. MIA is now the top U.S. airport for international flights, with nearly 1,300 weekly flights serving 85 international destinations. With American Airlines and American Eagle combining to handle nearly 70 percent of MIA’s passengers, and with 95 percent of Miami-Dade County’s visitors arriving through MIA, the new North Terminal facility will soon be the County’s main front door to the world. For more information about the new MIA, visit

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New customs wing at MIA ready for grand opening

Facility to allow faster processing

Author: Todd Tongen,

Published On:Jul 16 2012 05:58:36 PM EDTUpdated On:Jul 16 2012 09:01:22 PM EDT

MIAMI -

After a bit of a delay, the new customs and immigration wing at Miami International Airport is ready for its grand opening.

Coming into the U.S. through MIA can be a real challenge.

"Our old Concourse E facility had reached capacity, so at certain times, we reached a point where we couldn't process them all," said MIA Communications Director Greg Chin. "We had to send some passengers to temporary facilities."

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New baggage system opens at MIA

That takes valuable time. On average, it takes an hour or more to get through immigration and customs.

So, the airport is opening a new facility to speed things up.

"We are thinking, on an average, it will be 15 to 20 minutes less than it was before," Chin said.

Convenience is key for international travelers. That is why the Sky Train drops them off just one floor above. As soon as they walk into the immigration hall, they realize how massive it is -- a full football field long.

The new facility opens July 31 at a cost of $180 million. Its 72 passenger lanes are double the number at the old facility.

It also will include six global entry kiosks, which travelers can use for a small fee. All users have to do is have their passport scanned, their fingerprints taken and their retinas read, and if they are approved, they are on their way.

Customs officers have just as much room behind a one-way mirrored wall, and a new baggage area is connected to American Airlines' fully automated baggage handling system.

For security, there will be 25 inline explosive detection units at $1 million apiece, X-raying every piece of checked luggage.

"We have five carousels that will open this month, and then at the end of March next year, we will have all 10 carousels working with the new baggage handling system," Chin said.

In order to staff the new facility with immigration and customs officers, the airport will temporarily close Concourse E until further notice.

New international arrivals facility to open at MIA

South Florida Business Journal by Ashley D. Torres, Reporter

Date: Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 12:10pm EDT

The new North Terminal international arrivals facility at Miami International Airport will feature 72 lanes that can process 2,000 passengers per hour.

Ashley D. Torres

Miami International Airport will unveil a new three-level North Terminal international arrivals facility on July 31.

The 400,000-square foot facility is twice the size of the existing Concourse E facility, according to a news release. International passengers flying into concourses D, E and F will pass through a passport control area featuring 72 lanes that can process 2,000 passengers per hour. Once processed, passengers will collect their checked baggage in a new second-level baggage claim area and then exit on the either the second level for connecting flights or on the first level to the greeter’s lobby.

MIA is one of the only U.S. airports that will have six dedicated lanes for Global Entry, which provides expedited processing for travelers that register with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The international arrivals facility is yet another component of the airport’s $2.9 billion North Terminal. On July 11, the terminal’s long-awaited $220 million automated baggage handling system concluded 105 days of successful operations.

MIA ranks No. 1 for international flights at U.S. airports, with nearly 1,300 weekly flights serving 85 international destinations.

American Airlines houses its Caribbean and Latin American hub at MIA's North Terminal and the airline and its regional affiliate American Eagle handle nearly 70 percent of Miami airport passengers.

Metrorail’s new Miami International Airport station will open on Saturday, making the airport accessible by mass transit in Miami-Dade and in Broward and Palm Beach counties through its connection to Tri-Rail.

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MIA’s new international arrivals facility opens July 31

by: Arlene SatchellJuly 26th, 2012 | 10:59 AM

Internationalpassengers of American Airlines and other carrierslocated inConcourse D, E and F oftheMiami International Airport arriving Tuesday will be welcomed inanewfacility,airport officials said this week.

The newthree-level, 400,000-square-foot international arrivals facility is twice the size of the existingone in Concourse E, and is located inthe center oftheNorth Terminal,adjacent to the Concourse D skytrain. That makes it within a four minute reachfromany of the 47 gates in North Terminal, officials saidTuesday in a release.

Miami International Airport's new international arrivals facility, Miami-Dade Aviation Department/COURTESY

Thenewarrivals facility features apassport control area with72 lanes that can process 2,000 passengers per hour – twice the capacity of Concourse E’s 36 lanes.

MIA is also one of a fewU.S. airports with six dedicated lanes for Global Entrythatprovides expedited processing for travelers who have registered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

After passport processing in thefacility,travelerswill then collect their checked bags in the newsecond-level baggage claim area and then exit on either the second level for connecting flights or to the first level greeter’s lobby, the airport said.

The North Terminal’s new international arrivals facility is opening at a timewhen international arrivals at the airport are at a record high.

MIA is now the top U.S. airport for international flights, with nearly 1,300 weekly flights serving 85 international destinations, officials said.

American Airlines and American Eagle combined handlenearly 70 percent of MIA’s passenger traffic and95 percent of Miami-Dade County’s visitors arrivethrough the airport.

Published 07-25-2012
Coming soon to MIA: new customs and immigration facility (translated from Spanish)
By Jesús Hernández Diario Las Americas
Miami International Airport (MIA) is counting on improving the service of customs and immigration with a new facility that will greet the arrival of international flights beginning July 31st. A dazzling array of halls integrated in three levels that stretches over 400,000 square feet.
“The new facility is located in the middle of the modern North Terminal (site of the majority of American Airlines’ flights) featuring 72 lanes that can process up to 2 thousand passengers every hour”, was the expectation of Greg Chin, MIA’s Director of Communications. The number doubles the capacity of the 36 lanes serving the existing hall in Concourse E. A necessary investment that not only reduces the waiting time of the passenger arriving from abroad, but also decreases the chances that a traveler in transit misses his or her flight and the chances the airline incurs any additional expenses. A drawback that became an unprecedented setback with the implementation of security measures following September 11, 2001.
“It has immediate access to Skytrain, with connections to all 47 boarding gates, and shall likewise also serve Concourses D, E and F (linked by corridors) where other airlines operate”, he added.
Once the passenger’s passport has been verified, he shall find his luggage in the second level, then proceed on to customs and either exit the airport or continue on to another flight.
“The new facility opens at a time when new records are being set by the number of visitors to Miami-Dade”, the Director of Communications pointed out.
“MIA is now the leader for international flights in the nation with close to 1,300 weekly flights serving 85 international destinations” he added.
In fact, MIA was announcing the record set by the 38.3 million passengers last year, 18.4 million of which came aboard international flights. All of this in spite of the remodeling of the airport that never seems to end.
“If we keep in mind that American Airlines and American Eagle together serve 70 per cent of all passengers at MIA and that 95 per cent of the visitors to Miami-Dade enter through the airport, I am confident that the new facilities in the North Terminal shall soon be the County’s ‘Gateway to the World’”, he stated.
Now the airport is planning to remodel the main building with an ambitious project. A reconstruction plan that shall include a multi-storey shopping center as well as new escalators and access hallways that would balance the design of the already dated facility with the other two wings of the aviation complex. A plan in its initial stages that still needs a financial outline and the appropriate approval of Miami-Dade County authorities.
It should be pointed out that Miami International Airport reported earnings of 661.6 million dollars last year. A substantial increase of 15.4 % compared to the $573.5 million reported in 2010, accomplished by the significant increase in the number of passengers reflected in the growth in revenues derived from airport fees.
The airport and the airlines, as well as the providers of related services, pump close to 30 billion dollars, directly or indirectly, into the Miami-Dade economy while simultaneously maintaining close to 28 thousand jobs in the area and its surroundings. A remarkable figure that is the equivalent of 1 out of every 4 jobs in existence.

Posted on: July 24, 2012
Miami airport set to open new facility for international arrivals
By Gay Nagle Myers
The Miami airport's new international arrivals facility, twice the size of the existing Concourse E facility, opens July 31.
The three-level, 40,000-square-foot area is in the middle of North Terminal, adjacent to the Concourse D skytrain. According to the airport, the skytrain offers access to the 47 gates in North Terminal within four minutes.
After arrival in the new facility, international passengers enter the passport control area with 72 lanes. The airport said the new area will process 2,000 passengers per hour, twice the capacity of Concourse E's 36 lanes.
Six lanes will serve members of Global Entry, a government program that offers vetted travelers expedited processing.
After passport control, passengers collect bags in a new baggage-claim area on the second level, where they can exit for connecting flights.
Miami's airport says it handles 1,300 international flights per week.
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Posted on Sun, Jul. 29, 2012

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Miami Airport

Clearing Customs to get quicker

Beginning Tuesday, international passengers arriving at Miami International Airport’s Concourses D, E and F will be welcomed by a new three-level, 400,000-square-foot passport control area. With 72 lanes, Customs officers can process 2,000 passengers per hour — twice the capacity of Concourse E’s 36 lanes.

MIA is now the top U.S. airport for international flights, with nearly 1,300 weekly flights serving 85 international destinations.

Posted on Mon, Jul. 30, 2012

New $180 million arrivals center opens at MIA

By Hannah Sampson

Miami International Airport opens its international arrivals center Tuesday , the last major step of a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar project to modernize the airport. Here officials tour the path that people will take as they go to pick up their baggage.

The final phase of a long-awaited, multi-billion dollar Miami International Airport improvement project wraps up Tuesday.

Almost.

The new $180 million international arrivals center, a 400,000-square-foot facility on three levels, starts processing an average of 22,000 people a day after nearly three years of construction.

Tuesday’s opening essentially completes a $3 billion project to expand, beautify and modernize the airport’s north terminal that has been in the works since the mid-1990s.

Eleven years after the groundbreaking, all the construction and pardon-our-dust disarray — not to mention cost overruns, delays and embarrassments — are nearly history.

“It’s an amazing weight off my shoulders,” said Airport Director José Abreu, who has overseen the project since 2005.

Some of the most recent highlights during the extended renovation include the $130 million Concourse D skytrain, which opened in September of 2010 and the new $220 million baggage handling system, which started operating in March. Those followed the $1.1 billion overhaul of the South Terminal, where Concourses H and J include airlines such as Delta, United, Lufthansa and Air France.

This new federal inspection center should spare international travelers the long walks and disorganized lines that have plagued arrivals in the new north terminal, officials say.

“It’s just mass chaos normally,” said Rolando Suliveras Jr., port director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at MIA. “We’re moving away from that. We’re going to controlled chaos.”

Although the new center is being hailed by federal customs and airport officials alike, it opens with some level of disappointment. The north terminal processing center, with 72 lanes and six Global Entry kiosks for pre-cleared travelers, was supposed to operate at the same time as the 36-lane central terminal’s facility in Concourse E to ease waits that can top two hours.

Eventually, Abreu said, that is the plan. But for now, until more Customs and Border Protection employees can be hired for both facilities, only the new north center will be open with at least 60 lanes open during peak times. It will serve passengers from American Airlines’ Concourse D as well as international flights that come in to Concourses E and F, including Iberia, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Both Abreu and Suliveras said the airport’s international growth has come as a surprise; MIA is now the top airport for international flights. Through June, nearly 9.6 million international passengers traveled through MIA, an increase of 8 percent over the first half of 2011. That’s on top of 9 percent international growth last year. “Nobody, including me, could have forecast the kind of international passenger growth that we’ve experienced,” Abreu said.

As the growth is expected to continue with American Airlines adding additional international flights,more items remain on the to-do list.

Still unfinished in the new terminal are eight security stations to re-check connecting travelers and five baggage claim carousels in addition to the five opening Tuesday. Those last touches, held up by demolition of the terminal’s old baggage system, are expected to come online by March.

Even before those are finished, officials hope to shave 30-45 minutes off the total time for connecting travelers with the new facility opened.

Also on tap for March: the opening of three American Airlines gates in Concourse D stationed near the old baggage shed. For now, Abreu said, the new federal arrivals center is about 85 percent done and the overall North Terminal is 95 percent complete.

“The entire north terminal program has been extremely challenging because of staging,” he said. “We had to work while maintaining passenger traffic, sometimes through a maze to be able to turn as much area as we could over to the contractor. It has literally been like retiling your bathroom while you’re taking a shower.”

Just added to the list of new airport amenities last weekend was the new $506 million Metrorail Orange Line that can connect travelers to downtown Miami.

“This is a major one-two victory for the destination,” said William D. Talbert III, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “You’ve got this really state-of-the-art center and rail line. These are game changers.”