The Miami International Airport (MIA) reported on Thursday that in 2018, 45 million passengers and 2.3 million tons of cargo passed through its facilities, two new marks in its traffic history.
The figures contributed by MIA, which have been audited, mean increases of almost one million passengers and 60,000 tons compared to 2017, said a statement.
Of the 45 million passengers that passed through the main airport in South Florida, almost 21.9 million were international, which means 404,000 more than in 2017.
The director and general manager of MIA, Lester Sola, expressed great satisfaction with these results and predicted that 2019 will be another “year of strong growth” with the planned arrival at Miami airport of new international airlines.
“Congratulations to the MIA team for celebrating another successful year and reaching the milestone of 45 million passengers,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, who referred to the airport as the largest “economic locomotive” in the county.
MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than some other U.S. airplane terminal, additionally, is America’s third-busiest airport for international passengers, with a lineup of more than 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight.
The Miami International Airport, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the sunshinestate, generating business revenue of $30.9 billion annually and welcoming nearly 60 percent of all international visitors to Florida.