Miami International Airport And PortMiami Generate $242.8 Billion In Economic Impact
July 16, 2025
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava just announced record-breaking figures, revealing that Miami International Airport (MIA) and PortMiami generated a combined economic impact of $242.8 billion and supported nearly 1.2 million jobs.
The announcement was made during the annual State of the Ports luncheon, hosted by the World Trade Center Miami and attended by over 500 business, civic, and government leaders. The event featured the release of MIA’s 2024 Economic Impact Study, conducted by consulting firm Martin Associates.
MIA’s Massive Economic Contribution
According to the study, MIA alone accounted for $181.4 billion in business revenue and supported 800,000 jobs, reaffirming its role as one of Florida’s most critical economic drivers.
“Tallahassee, are you listening?” Mayor Levine Cava asked rhetorically, calling on state lawmakers to recognize MIA’s vast contributions.
She emphasized the airport’s reach across sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, noting that MIA leads the state in cargo imports and exports.
“We’re number one for international commerce in the country,” Levine Cava said.
Record-Breaking Freight and Passenger Growth
MIA continues to set new benchmarks in both cargo and passenger volumes. It is currently ranked #1 in the U.S. for international freight and #6 globally. Cargo volume surged 13% in the first half of 2025—marking the fifth consecutive year of record growth.
Passenger traffic is also on the rise, with 28 million travelers passing through MIA in the first six months of 2025. That puts the airport on track to match or surpass its 2024 record of 56 million passengers.
Modernization in Progress
To accommodate this growth, MIA launched a $9 billion expansion project in January 2024 under its “Modernization in Action” (M.I.A.) program. The goal: prepare the airport to handle 77 million passengers and 5 million tons of cargo annually. So far, $1.4 billion has been invested in improvements such as a new Concourse K, a revamped central terminal, and a new parking garage.
“Even as we modernize, we must never lose sight of how invaluable our airport and seaport are to the local economy,” said Levine Cava. “The future has never looked brighter.”
PortMiami’s Cruise Impact and Growth
PortMiami continues to show strong performance, especially in the cruise sector. In 2024, 766,000 travelers flew into MIA specifically to embark on cruises, accounting for over 9% of PortMiami’s total passenger traffic.
“Almost 100%, precisely 97.6%, of those cruise passengers are using PortMiami,” said the mayor. “I call it friendly competition—and I’m glad we’re winning.”
Trade: A Cornerstone of South Florida’s Economy
Gary Goldfarb, Chief Strategy Officer of the Inner Port Group and Chair of the World Trade Center Miami, emphasized the critical role of trade in the region’s economic success.
“Trade is not a buzzword — it’s a builder of jobs, opportunity, and resilience,” Goldfarb said.
Goldfarb also highlighted the importance of adapting to global changes in commerce and technology.
“As trade groups shift and new technologies emerge, gatherings like this one are more important than ever,” Goldfarb said.
Source: WLRN