American Airlines and Miami-Dade County officials have revealed plans for a sweeping $1 billion expansion of Concourse D at Miami International Airport (MIA).
The plans for the project, which will update one of the airport’s older gate areas and strengthen American’s position as the main airline at MIA, were unveiled on Wednesday, 25 February, by American Airlines and Miami-Dade County officials.
The plan centers on a full renovation of Gate D60, a small section of the North Terminal currently used mostly for regional jets. Right now, it has 17 ground-level gates sharing one boarding area, and passengers often have to go outside to board. Any traveler who has had to use D60 at MIA in recent years can attest that this area definitely doesn’t match the rest of the airport’s vibe.
In a 2024 interview with the Miami Herald, MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutié described the current D60 footprint as “a very constrained area,” adding that the planned renovation “will transform one of the older, more rundown parts of North Terminal.”
The new expansion will add a three-level concourse with 17 regular gates for larger regional and narrowbody planes. Each gate will have its own boarding area, so passengers will have more space and won’t need to board outside. The design also includes direct access on the third floor to US Customs and Border Protection for international arrivals, making the process easier for travelers coming from abroad.
Construction is set to begin in 2027, and the new D60 area should be finished by 2030. This project is part of MIA’s larger $9 billion modernization plan, which includes over 200 improvements already in progress.
Funding, Partnerships, and Miami’s Global Role
Greg Chin, Communications Director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, said most of the $1 billion expansion will be paid for with bonds issued by the airport. As with other projects funded this way, airlines pay back the debt through landing fees and terminal charges, with bigger airlines covering more of the cost. The Florida Department of Transportation has also given $34 million in grants for the project, Chin told the Miami Herald.
For American Airlines, this investment is both necessary for operations and part of their long-term plans.
“The brand-new, reimagined D60 is a transformational project that will provide a much-improved experience for our customers and our team,” said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom during the unveiling event on 25 February at MIA. “Miami is an essential hub and international gateway for American, and it’s a key part of our history and our future.”
American operates about 400 flights a day from MIA to 155 destinations and handles over 60 percent of the airport’s passengers, according to the company. This year, the airline plans its biggest summer schedule yet from Miami, further cementing MIA as its main hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Juan Carlos Liscano, American’s Vice President of MIA Operations, highlighted the airline’s long history in South Florida. “American and Miami-Dade have built a partnership across decades that intertwines our success and vitality,” he said at the event. He also noted that 15,500 American employees are based at MIA and called the expansion “a testament to our commitment for the long term.”
Premium Push and Passenger Experience
Along with more gates, the new D60 extension aims to create a more modern experience for passengers. Images from the airport and airline show bright, open spaces with lots of glass, indoor palm trees, and new places to eat and shop.
“The D60 expansion is one of the most monumental customer service improvements within our unprecedented airport-wide modernization plan,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at the unveiling. She described the five-year initiative as one that will “transform the passenger experience at MIA from the cabin to the curb.”
American has announced a new Flagship lounge at MIA and a big expansion of its Admirals Club, all part of efforts to improve premium services at the airport.
In the past year, the airline added new self-service kiosks for faster check-in and introduced technology to help passengers make connections more easily. American has also worked with the TSA and Customs and Border Protection on programs like TSA PreCheck, Touchless ID, and Enhanced Passenger Processing.
Miami’s Modernization in Action Plan (or MIA – get it?) adds MIA to an ever-growing list of US airports undergoing massive upgrades, such as New York LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK), Pittsburgh (PIT), Tampa (TPA), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), San Antonio (SAT), Denver (DEN), San Diego (SAN), Orlando (MCO), and more.
American and Miami Look Forward
The timing of this announcement is important for Miami. In recent years, the airport has been criticized for old facilities and crowded spaces, even as more people travel through it. Officials say upgrades need to happen while the airport stays open 24/7.
By 2030, travelers at Concourse D60 will find a space that looks very different from today. For American Airlines, this project shows that its almost 40-year partnership with Miami is not only continuing but also growing.
As Isom said, MIA is still “an essential hub and international gateway” for American. With 17 new gates on the horizon and a billion-dollar investment underway, the airport will look very different in the years to come.
