The Miami-Dade County Commission has unanimously approved a sweeping investment exceeding $330 million to overhaul the concessions program at Miami International Airport (MIA). The initiative, led by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, aims to revamp the airport’s retail and dining experience, while also reinforcing MIA’s position as a key hub between North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The agreement secures a guaranteed investment of $267 million, with an additional $64.5 million contingent on lease extensions, according to official details. “For the first time in decades, we’ve achieved a transformative milestone for MIA—one that positions it as a world-class gateway for millions of residents and visitors,” said Cohen Higgins.
The move follows months of negotiations between Cohen Higgins’ office, airport concessionaires, and the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. A central component of the new model is a reallocation of concession space, with 63% dedicated to food and beverage and 37% to retail, in line with evolving passenger preferences seen at major international airports.
The plan also includes expanded opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses, aiming to boost local economic participation. Investment requirements have been set at $850 per square foot for retail and $1,000 per square foot for food and beverage outlets, which the county notes nearly double current industry standards.
The modernization will incorporate advanced technology, such as mobile ordering systems, AI-managed inventory, and multi-point-of-sale platforms, with the goal of streamlining service and improving the passenger experience. The agreement includes strict deadlines and enforcement mechanisms to ensure timely execution by concession operators.
Additionally, the plan guarantees compliance with the county’s Living Wage Ordinance, requiring a minimum wage of $21.67 per hour, more than 60% above Florida’s current minimum wage.
Commissioner Cohen Higgins is also overseeing upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for commercial spaces in the planned Terminal K, as well as vacant locations in the North Terminal and other high-traffic zones. These efforts are aimed at increasing vendor diversity and attracting innovative, global retail and dining brands.
“With record-breaking growth—56 million passengers and over 3 million tons of cargo in 2024 —MIA is at a pivotal moment. To stay competitive on the global stage, we must act decisively,” Cohen Higgins stated.
County officials project the program will generate nearly $1 billion in revenue over the next 12 years, positioning the airport as a long-term economic engine for the region.
“I want to thank my co-prime sponsor Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, Mayor Daniella
Levine Cava, Chairman Anthony Rodriguez, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, and
all our MIA concessionaires for their collaboration in securing this critical investment,” Cohen Higgins added.
The county’s leadership sees the investment not only as an infrastructure upgrade, but as a broader strategy to drive economic development, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation within the airport environment.
AUTOR
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline.
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