Miami is positioned as the main international airport in the U.S.

Miami (MIA) became the leading airport for international passenger traffic in the United States in 2021,  handling more than 13 million passengers, according to a report by the Airports Council International (ACI).

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In international cargo transportation, Miami International Airport (MIA) continues to rank first in the U.S. and ninth worldwide, handling more than 2 million metric tons last year.

Florida’s second-largest airfield is also the ninth busiest in the world, with a total of 397,973 passenger and cargo aircraft takeoffs and landings in 2021, representing a 54% increase over 2020.

«Congratulations to MIA on moving up the ranks to become the busiest U.S. gateway for international passengers and cargo. MIA is connecting the world to Miami-Dade County like never before, with a growing number of travel options for passengers to choose from and busy trade routes around the world,» said Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.

Miami (MIA) ended 2021 with a total of 37.2 million passengers, which was double its total of 18.6 million in 2021, also moving 2.7 million tons of cargo surpassing its previous record of 2.3 million tons in 2020, an increase of 17%, for its second consecutive year of growth.

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«Our improved rankings in international passenger traffic and flight operations are further examples of MIA’s successful recovery from the pandemic. MIA continues to attract new and repeat airline partners who are expanding our passenger and cargo route networks,» said Ralph Cutié, MIA’s Director and CEO.

Much of the recovery in the international market is coming from Latin America, over the course of 2021, American Airlines the main carrier in Miami (MIA) increased capacity and frequencies on several routes in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and new services in the Caribbean and South America.

Spirit Airlines in 2021 opened a new base in Miami (MIA) with more than 30 domestic and international routes, including service to popular destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. With the announcement of the relaxation of sanitary measures in November last year, European airlines resumed and increased their presence at Florida’s second-largest airport.