Airport Operations: Analysis of Miami

Airport Operations: Analysis of Miami International Airport KMIA

The objective of this study is to conduct an analysis of Miami International Airport from a business and operational point-of-view. This work will analyze the operating and business environment of Miami International Airport as well as analyzing the major issues and challenges faced by the airport and finally state conclusions and make recommendations.

The Miami International Airport (MIA) is a large hub airport with 15.4 million enplanements in 2005 and is 62% American Airlines Hubs and International Gateway. There are 130 gates at the Miami International Airport and parking capacity includes a 152 short-term parking garage capacity and a 7,499 long-term capacity. Total operating revenues for 2005 is stated at $442.5 million or $28.64 per enplanement with 52.4$ of the revenues from passenger airlines with total commercial revenues stated at $139 million and concession revenues stated at $72 million while parking revenues are stated at $34 million. (Dooley, nd, paraphrased)

I. ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATING AND Business ENVIRONMENT

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation reported on the first day of June 2009 that Miami International Airport, which is "...one of the key gateways into Latin American and Europe from America's South, reported a traffic increase of 5.1% year-on-year for April 2009." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009) While traffic levels declined through 2008 and the first months of 2009 it is stated that the "return to positive traffic was a welcome sign for the airport." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009)

Figure 1

Miami International Airport Passenger Number Growth and Cargo Volume (May 2008 -- April 2009)

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (2009)

Domestic traffic was reported to be weaker than international travel "with passenger volumes to U.S. destinations rising 3.3% in April, while international traffic was up 7.4%. Domestic and international passenger volume are roughly even, although the decline in passenger traffic during the recession has been more significant for domestic destinations." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009) Stated as reinforcing this trend is a shift of capacity "...from domestic from international markets by U.S. carriers, including American Airlines." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009)

Figure 2

Miami International Airport Domestic & International Passenger Traffic: Year to April 2009.

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (2009)

Commercial aircraft movements fell 7.6% in April 2009 and total seating capacity is stated to have fallen approximately 0.8% which indicates that "carriers are operating fewer and larger aircraft at the airport and/or achieving higher passenger load factors." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009) However, the cargo segment's performance is described as "dismal...with volumes down 23.1% in April 2009." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009)

Reports state that IATA made the suggestion that "international air cargo has found a floor, stabilizing at around 20% and offering a glimmer of hope that there may be a recovery period around the corner." (Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009) Passenger traffic is stated to have declined approximately 1.2% over the first five months of 2009 with cargo declining 23.7% over the same period.

The top ten airlines which utilize Miami International Airport are the airlines shows in the following figure with accompanying capacity and frequency share.

Figure 3

Miami International Airport Capacity and Frequency Share: Top Ten Airlines

M

Source: Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (2009)

The top five international routes by capacity share to and from Miami are shown in the following figure.

Figure 4

Top Five International Routes by Capacity Share (% of total) to and from Miami

Source: Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (2009)

It is stated that the outlook for the rest of 2009 is somewhat dimmer than the results of April 2009 due to the factor of Swine Flu. Since Miami is a major entry point for traffic to and from Mexico it is likely that "airlines and service providers will have to wait longer for sustained passenger recover, while cargo remains depressed." (Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, 2009)

It is reported that the impact of the Miami International Airport and the impact on employment in the locality is approximately $13 billion with direct and indirect jobs in South Florida. Direct employment statistics for the direct employment of individuals by Miami International Airport are stated at 1,500 for the aviation department and in the category of 'other' 32,442 with a total of 33,942.

Figure 5

Economic Impact and Employment

Estimated impact

$13 Billion

Direct/Indirect jobs in South Florida

196,000

Direct Employment

Aviation Department

1,500

Other

32,442

Total

33,942

2001 Total Passengers

31.6 Million

Source: Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia (2002)

The total passengers served by Miami International Airport are stated as of 31.6 billion. Miami International U.S. Airport rankings list the following rankings for MIA:

1st in U.S.

International Freight

3rd in U.S.

International Passengers

3rd in U.S.

Total Freight

3rd in U.S.

Total Cargo (Freight and mail)

11th in U.S.

Total Number of Operations

12th in U.S.

Total Passengers (Department of Transportation Federal Aviation

Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia, 2002)

World airport rankings are stated for Miami International Airport as follows:

6th in World

International Freight

5th in World

Total Freight

5th in World

Total Cargo (Freight and mail)

19th in World

Total Passengers

19th in World

International Passengers (Department of Transportation Federal

Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia)

A report prepared by the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia or specifically the "Record of Decision for Proposed New Parallel Runway and Associated Work" states: that the Summer 2002 Florida Economic Bulletin published by Enterprise Florida pointed to growth in the health, financial, real estate, professional and construction services industries.

Miami-Dade's diversified service-oriented economy relies on trade in services, such as business, legal and medical services. Analysis of the local industry includes that as listed in the following figure.

Figure 6

MIA - Local Industry Analysis

Industry Code Description

33122

Total Estabs

33126

Total Estabs

33134

Total Estabs

33166

Total Estabs

33172

Total Estabs

TOTAL

1988

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES, FORESTRY, AND FISHING

0

0.0%

3

0.2%

10

0.3%

11

0.3%

1

MINING

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

2

0.1%

0

0.0%

1

CONSTRUCTION

15

1.7%

88

4.4%

70

2.3%

4.7%

60

MANUFACTURING

44

5.1%

48

2.4%

48

1.6%

6.4%

41

TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES

21.8%

13.6%

4.2%

16.8%

WHOLESALE TRADE

46.0%

26.8%

7.4%

38.9%

RETAIL TRADE

70

8.1%

12.2%

12.3%

8.1%

FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE

16

1.9%

9.4%

16.2%

5.1%

SERVICES

14.1%

29.8%

54.3%

18.0%

UNCLASSIFIED ESTABLISHMENTS

11

1.3%

24

1.2%

38

1.3%

70

1.7%

21

Source: (Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia, 2002)

There have been "significant increases in destination-Miami passenger traffic based on projected passenger-base growth originating from Latin America." (Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia, 2002) In fact, Miami International Airport's expansion plans are stated to be "predicated to a large degree on forecasts of increasing passenger traffic. " (Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region, Atlanta Georgia, 2002)

In a separate report it is stated that "...ambitious expansion plans" have been announced by American Airlines which will results in Miami serving as hub to both Latin America and the Caribbean." (The Metropolitan Center, 2003) The airline passenger market is stated to be particularly competitive in the Miami area since 'tourist destinations such as Miami Beach, key Biscayne, Coconut Grove and Downtown Miami are all desirable destinations which offer more in the way of "amenities and fewer distractions than airport area locations. There is stated to be a "niche market served by airport area hotels particularly in Miami." (The Metropolitan Center, 2003)

Airport security has been increased which has made check-in times longer. It is stated that "evening and late arrivals also lure travelers who desire ready convenience upon arrival." (The Metropolitan Center, 2003) The improvements that were made to LeJeune Road with the MIC construction displaced a "substantial number of hotels in the airport area..." ranging from "physically dilapidated properties to recently constructed three-star properties." (The Metropolitan Center, 2003)

The franchise restaurants are stated to be "consistent with the standard and homogenized mix of national chain airport hotels...that appeal to business travelers who desire certainty and standard fare." (The Metropolitan Center, 2003) Findings stated after conduction of a survey among area hotels are as follows:

(1) More than half the hotels surveyed noted that upwards of 80% of their guests are business travelers;

(2) Half the hotels surveyed responded that the typical length of stay was 1-2 nights;

(3) Over half the hotels surveyed cited occupancy rates at 80% or higher. The remainder were between 70-78% occupancy; and (4) The average room night stay starts at $108.00 with a median of $110.00. (The Metropolitan Center, 2003)

The following chart shows the commercial revenue categories for Miami International Airport as stated in the work of Dooley (nd).

Figure 7

Miami International Airport Revenue Categories

Source: Dooley (nd)

II. ANALYSIS OF THE MAJOR ISSUES & CHALLENGES FACED BY THE AIRPORT

Safety Issues

There are issues and challenges which the Miami International Airport must necessarily address and these include safety issues. The Miami International Airport terminal is stated to present "notable life safety challenges because of large occupant loads, presence of significant combustible loads, complex security restrictions, and less than ideal egress provisions from interior spaces." (Miami International Airport, 1998) The Life Safety Master Plan (LSMP) is stated to provide a summary of the fire safety surveys and studies conducted. The first line of defense is stated to be that of prevention of fire however, the facility's size and complexity makes a requirement that there is complete coverage "by automatic fire protection systems...in place in case prevention fails." (Miami International Airport, 1998 ) Also required in combination with highly reliable automatic protection systems are manual fire fighting capabilities of an enhanced nature.

Drug Trafficking Threats

The South Florida HIDTA reports that the Miami International Airport (MIA) is not only the busiest airport in the United States for international cargo but it is also the busiest airport in the U.S. For international passenger traffic and is "used extensively as an entry point for narcotics in bulk shipments." (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009) The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that Miami is "considered a "high-demand" destination for designer drugs and is a transshipment point between the suppliers in Europe and organizations in South America. Marijuana remains readily available in South Florida. The increasing role of small-grow operations and indoor hydroponics operations is adding to the drug's supply." (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009)

The drug trade combined with money laundering and cash smuggling as well as a host of other illegal gang-related activities make South Florida "...a transportation and financial center vulnerable for exploitation by criminal organizations. South Florida remains as a significant command and control center for international narcotics trafficking organizations; is an international hub for drug traffickers and money launderers from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean; and has been identified as having the country's second largest concentration of Russian and Eurasian immigrants and proportionate career criminals and organized crime." (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2009)

Layoffs Expected

It was reported December 19th, 2008 that American Airlines had plans for layoffs at Miami International Airport. AMR, parent company of American Airlines is stated to have approximately 9,000 employees at the Miami International Airport. The company has been hard hit by high gas prices and the economy resulting in AMR announcing "thousands of job cuts, double-digit reduction in capacity percentage and the retirement of 75 to 85 gas-guzzling planes." (Frogameni, 2008)

Infrastructure Challenges

To answer the need for a solution to improve the Miami National Airport a major intermodal hub was designed. The work of Marie-Elise Dowell entitled: "Simulating Traffic Operations" states as follows:

"Traffic congestion in Miami-Dade County has been a concern for citizens and transportation agencies for several years. It continues to worsen because of the county's continuous and rapid increase in population, particularly in its suburban areas. Concerns about airport congestion go hand-in-hand with those related to roadway congestion. Located at the southeastern tip of the U.S., Miami has been called the Gateway to South America." (Dowell, nd)

Dowell goes on to relate that the Miami-Dad Aviation Department has "...developed a $6 billion capital improvement program for the next twenty years to address the airport congestion concerns." (ND) Two primary goals are the focus of the program:

(1) Improve access to the airport;

(2) Increase airport's capacity to meet the ever-increasing demand. (Dowell, ND) These goals are also stated to provide challenges since the increase of airport capacity "...would also increase travel to and from the airport, taxing the already deficient roadway system." (Dowell, ND) Not only were the costs stated to be "prohibitive...the airport is surrounded by major freeways, arterials, office buildings and airport related facilities." (Dowell, ND)

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the MIC is being developed as two major facilities stated to be those of:

(1) Rental Car Facility. This facility will consolidate the entire major rental car agencies scattered throughout the area into a 7,500-space parking facility that provides full rental car services. It will include customer service counters, administrative offices, return car lot, employee parking, and service maintenance areas; and (2) The MIC Core. Adjacent to the rental car facility, the MIC core will house limited passenger ticketing and baggage claim, as well as other non-airport land uses, such has hotel, shopping, and employment. Rail and bus stations as well as taxi and cruise bus staging areas are also incorporated into the MIC in order to provide connections to the local and regional transit system." (Dowell, ND)