Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced recently that Miami International Airport (MIA) and PortMiami have set unprecedented records, bringing in over $242 billion in revenue while supporting nearly 1.2 million jobs.
The announcement was made during the annual State of the Ports luncheon, which was attended by over 500 leaders from business, civic, and government sectors.
At this event, the 2024 economic impact study for MIA, conducted by consulting firm Martin Associates, was unveiled.
MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutié and Port Miami Director and CEO Hydi Webb were present to share in the celebration of these significant milestones.
According to the study, MIA generated a staggering $181.4 billion in business revenue alone, supporting 800,000 jobs and establishing itself as a critical economic engine for Florida.
Mayor Levine Cava made a pointed remark, asking, “Tallahassee, are you listening?” to highlight the profound contributions of MIA to the economic landscape of the state.
She underscored the expansive economic impact of MIA across various sectors, noting its status as the largest hub for cargo imports and exports in Florida, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture.
“We’re number one for international commerce in the country,” she declared.
MIA’s performance continues to impress as it breaks records for both cargo and passenger traffic.
Currently, it holds the title of the #1 airport in the U.S. for foreign international freight and ranks #6 globally.
Cargo volume surged by 13% in the first half of the year, marking the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking freight statistics at MIA.
Passenger traffic has also seen substantial growth, with MIA serving 28 million travelers in just the first six months of 2025, positioning the airport to potentially match or exceed the previous year’s record of 56 million passengers.
Mayor Levine Cava emphasized MIA’s invaluable contributions, stating, “The new study shows that [MIA’s] value to our community and region truly cannot be understated.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to modernization, MIA has embarked on a significant $9 billion project known as Modernization in Action (M.I.A.), initiated in January 2024.
This ambitious plan aims to prepare the airport to accommodate up to 77 million passengers and handle 5 million tons of freight annually.
Already, $1.4 billion has been allocated for upgrades that include the construction of a new concourse K, a renovated central terminal, and additional parking facilities.
“Even as we modernize, we must never lose sight of how invaluable our airport and seaport are to the local economy,” stated Levine Cava.
Looking ahead, she remarked, “The future has never looked brighter.”
PortMiami is also experiencing robust demand, with 766,000 travelers arriving at MIA specifically for cruise departures in 2024, which comprises over 9% of PortMiami’s total passenger count.
Continuing her enthusiastic remarks, Levine Cava noted, “Almost a hundred percent, 97.6%, are using PortMiami. I call it friendly competition, and I’m glad we’re winning.”
Gary Goldfarb, chief strategy officer of the Inner Port Group and chair of the World Trade Center Miami, emphasized South Florida’s dependence on international commerce, stating, “Trade is not a buzzword — it’s a builder of jobs, opportunity, and resilience.”
He cautioned that as global trade dynamics evolve, the importance of discussions and forums like the State of the Ports luncheon remains critical: “As we look for the future, the stakes are high. Trade groups are shifting, technologies are evolving, and global dynamics are constantly changing.”
This year’s gathering served to reinforce the significance of these issues and the region’s ongoing commitment to its place on the international stage.
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