Miami's Airport Count: Is It Really Surprising?

Miami is served by multiple airports, with the principal airport being Miami International Airport (MIA). MIA is located on over 3,000 acres of land just west of downtown Miami and is the primary commercial hub for air travel in the city. It is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating $118 billion in business revenue annually. Aside from MIA, there are several other public and private airports in the area, including Homestead General Aviation Airport, Miami Executive Airport, Dade-Collier Training & Transition Airport, and the Miami Seaplane Base.

Miami International Airport (MIA)

MIA offers extensive amenities and services to support the needs of its diverse travellers. The airport features an extensive food and dining scene, shopping destinations ranging from high-end labels to local souvenirs, a 259-room hotel on-site, currency exchange services, VIP clubs and lounges, a spa, a yoga room, a chapel, and animal services. Ground transportation options include car rentals, taxis, hotel shuttles, and ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.

MIA is America's busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers. It offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, serving over 100 air carriers and 45 million travellers to and from 59 domestic and 104 international destinations. The airport is projected to expand further, with plans to process 77 million passengers and 4 million tons of freight annually by 2040.

MIA has a rich history dating back to the late 1920s when Pan American Airways acquired land on NW 36th Street to build a privately-owned international airport. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of concourses, parking garages, and the implementation of an automated people mover system. Today, MIA contains three terminals (North, Central, and South) and six concourses, providing a world-class travel experience for its passengers.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

The airport serves as a primary airport for Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton, and as a secondary airport for parts of Miami and areas north of Boca Raton. FLL is a base for Allegiant Air, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines, the latter of which has its corporate headquarters located in nearby Miramar. The airport is also the primary South Florida airport for Southwest Airlines.

FLL is classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a "major hub" facility serving commercial air traffic. The airport covers 1,380 acres and has two runways. In December 2022, there were 100 aircraft based at the airport, including 11 single-engine, 7 multi-engine, 80 jet, and 2 helicopter aircraft.

FLL is structured into four terminals, each offering various amenities to enhance the travel experience. Terminal 1, known as the "New Terminal," boasts modern facilities and a wide range of dining and shopping options. Terminals 2, 3, and 4 provide a diverse selection of eateries, from quick snacks to full-service restaurants, accommodating a variety of tastes and dietary needs.

The airport offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals and special accommodations for passengers with disabilities, ensuring accessibility for all travellers. Transportation options to and from FLL are plentiful, including rental cars, taxis, rideshares, and public transportation. The airport is easily accessible via local bus routes and offers a free shuttle service between terminals and the rental car centre. For those travelling further, the Fort Lauderdale Airport Station provides access to commuter trains serving the broader South Florida area.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Palm Beach International Airport, also known as PBI Airport, is a public airport in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located just 3.5 miles west of Palm Beach and serves as the primary airport for the city and most of Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach Gardens. The airport is easily accessible via road from I-95, Southern Boulevard, and Congress Avenue, and is bordered on the west by Military Trail.

PBI began operations in 1936 as Morrison Field, named in honour of Grace Morrison, who played a key role in the planning and organisation of the airfield. The airport expanded in 1937 beyond just an airstrip and administration building when the Palm Beach Aero Corporation obtained a lease, built hangars, and constructed the first terminal on the south side, known as the Eastern Air Lines Terminal. During World War II, the field was used by the U.S. Army Air Forces, playing a role in the training for and staging of the Allied invasion of France for D-Day.

In 1947, ownership of the field was returned to Palm Beach County by the newly established U.S. Air Force, and the name was changed to Palm Beach International Airport the following year. The airport has continued to serve both civil aviation and the U.S. Air Force over the years, with the latter using it as Palm Beach Air Force Base for a period, including during the Korean War for training and hurricane research. The Air Force presence was a source of contention with the county, and they eventually closed down operations in 1962, with all property conveyed back to the airport.

Today, PBI covers 2,120 acres and features three runways, a 24-hour control tower, and a U.S. Customs and Immigration facility. The airport has one terminal with 32 gates across three concourses (A, B, and C) as of 2024, serving a variety of airlines, including Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines. The airport has undergone various expansion projects over the years, including the addition of gates and the construction of new concourses, with future plans for further expansion, such as the proposed Concourse D.

PBI has received recognition for its convenience and low stress, being named South Florida's favourite airport and ranking as the third-best domestic airport in the U.S. by Travel+Leisure in 2024. The airport offers a range of transportation options, including rideshare services, public transportation via Palm Tran bus routes, and proximity to train stations for Amtrak and Brightline services.

Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport (TNT)

Miami is served by multiple airports. The principal airport is Miami International Airport (MIA), which is located just west of downtown Miami and is the primary commercial hub for air travel in the city. However, there are several other airports in the Greater Miami area, including Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport (TNT).

Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport is a public airport located within the Florida Everglades, approximately 36 miles (58 km) west of Miami's central business district. The airport is owned by Miami-Dade County and operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Dade-Collier covers a vast area of 24,960 acres (39.0 sq mi; 101.0 km2) and features a single asphalt runway (Runway 09/27) that is 10,499 feet long and 150 feet wide. The airport's facilities support both large and small aircraft, with precise landing capabilities and a safe infrastructure.

The history of Dade-Collier dates back to the late 1960s when it was originally known as the Everglades Jetport. The initial vision for this airport was grand, with plans to make it the largest airport in the world, spanning 39 square miles with six runways. It was intended to be a hub for supersonic aircraft, such as the Boeing 2707, which was under development at the time. However, environmental concerns and the cancellation of the 2707 program halted construction in 1970, leaving only one runway completed.

Despite the initial setbacks, the airport found a new purpose as a general aviation airport and, more prominently, as a training airport. Its long runway could accommodate large aircraft like the Boeing 747, and its isolation within the Everglades made it ideal for uninterrupted training flights. Pan Am and Eastern Airlines were among its early adopters for training purposes. While the advent of flight simulators has reduced the frequency of its use, the airport remains open to general aviation.

Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport primarily serves as a precision-instrument landing and training facility in South Florida for commercial pilots, private training, and a small number of military touch-and-goes. Commercial jet aircraft are the most frequent users of the airport. The airport handles approximately 175,500 annual operations, with an average of around 12 landings and take-offs per day as of 2015. The airport's unique features have also attracted high-speed automobile events, where exotic cars can break the 200-mile-per-hour barrier thanks to the runway's length.

Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF)

The airport has a rich history, dating back to its founding by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss in 1927 on the grounds of his former Florida Aviation Camp. Curtiss played a significant role in the early days of aviation and real estate development in Florida, including the founding of the city of Opa-locka in 1926. The airport was later transferred to the US Navy, becoming a Naval Reserve Aviation Training Base and an active installation during World War II. It was renamed Naval Air Station Miami and saw significant military construction and training activities.

Today, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport is home to the busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue Station, with EADS HC-144 Ocean Sentry turboprops and MH-65 Dolphin helicopters operating from the base. The airport offers a range of services, including full FBO service, aircraft repair and maintenance, US Custom services, and support for the business aviation community and light cargo traffic to the Caribbean.

The airport is easily accessible, located just 35 minutes from downtown Miami, 30 minutes from Miami Beach, and 20 minutes from Miami International Airport. With its convenient location, quick access, and no landing fees, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport is a popular choice for private and business aviation in the Miami area.

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