MIA becomes more affordable in fiscal year 2013

The Miami-Dade County Aviation Department today announced that it will be lowering its aircraft landing fee at Miami International Airport (MIA) by nearly nine percent effective October 1, 2012, making MIA more affordable to the airline industry. Thanks to another record-setting year of passenger and cargo growth in fiscal year 2012, the Aviation Department will be lowering MIA's landing fee from $1.92 to $1.75 per 1,000 pounds of landed weight for the 2013 fiscal year (October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013). After leading all large U.S. airports in passenger growth with a seven-percent increase last year, MIA has grown another seven percent this fiscal year through June. Freight volumes at MIA, the County's top economic engine, have also surged to grow nearly five percent this fiscal year after slowing to less than one percent growth in fiscal year 2011 because of the global economic downturn.

"The ability to significantly decrease MIA's cost to its carriers makes this achievement a huge victory for our primary economic engine, our passengers, and ultimately, our local economy," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "Because the financial burden of operating MIA is funded primarily by airline fees and charges, a lower landing fee at MIA means much-needed financial relief for our existing airlines, and makes the airport more appealing to carriers seeking to start service here," he added.

As a result of MIA's growth, the Aviation Department will be carrying over $85 million of the surplus realized this year into fiscal year 2013, allowing it to begin the new fiscal year with 20 percent of its budget already funded. In addition, the Department will now be able to set aside a year's worth of debt payments to pay back bonds sold for MIA's new people mover system to the Miami Intermodal Center.