Airports in Miami: A Guide to Best 10 Miami Airports

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Airports in Miami
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Assuming you need to fly into Miami, which airport is the most excellent option? The Cruise Capital of the World; Miami, is a coastal metropolis and the country seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida.

Considered to be the second most populated city in Florida according to the 2020 census, with a population of 442,241, it is one of the most popular vacation spots in the USA and is famous for its fantastic warm weather, bustling nightlife, pristine beaches, Art Deco architecture, and mind-blowing skyline.

Frontier Airlines, LATAM, and Avianca have Miami as a key location. It is one of America’s best winter destinations because of its tropical atmosphere. Tourism, with several airports, is an essential part of the city’s economy.

Airports in Miami
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Airports in Miami

1. Miami International Airport: Miami’s Primary Airport

Airports in Miami
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Miami International Airport (MIA), owned by Miami-Dade County and run by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, is located just west of downtown Miami. Miami International Airport is Miami’s main Airport, with nearly 42 million people annually.

The Miami International Airport covers 3,300 acres (1,335 hectares) of land. The Airport operates as a hub for the Southeastern United States with cargo and passenger flights to cities throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa and as South Florida’s main Airport for long-haul international flights.

The Miami International Airport overtook John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City in 2021 to become the busiest U.S. gateway for foreign passengers and the country’s most active international cargo airport.

The Airport serves as American airlines’ primary gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America. Miami international airport is Miami’s main Airport, so it is bigger than the other airports and handles more crowds for international and domestic flights.

The Airport is served by fast Miami International Airport trains, which take about 28 minutes to get to the city center. There are approximately 80 cargo, international and domestic flights serving MIA to around 150 destinations around the globe.

  • History 

Miami City Airport was the first Airport on the site of MIA and was opened in the 1920s and was historically known as Wilcox Field; Pan American Field, in 1928, was opened adjacent to City Airport by Pan American World Airways and was built on 116 acres of land, and the only mainland airport in the eastern United States.

The City of Miami raised bond revenue and established a Port Authority to purchase Pan American Field, which was renamed 36th Street Airport.

  • Flights 

American Airlines is the predominant carrier at MIA, which has direct flights to most other airports in countries in the Americas, most significant cities in the US, Canada, and Western Europe, and nearly every major Airport in the Caribbean and Latin America.

In addition to substantial service to the Caribbean and the Americas, MIA has non-stop flights to 14 European airports served by several European carriers. The Airport has zero non-stop services to South or East Asia, Oceania, or Africa.

2. MIA General Aviation Center

Airports in Miami
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The Miami-Dade Aviation Department operates the GAC (General Aviation Center). Every day of the year, it provides services for private flights around-the-clock. For the arrival of international flights, including cargo flights and private jet charters, the GAC houses Border Protection clearance and U.S. Customs. Services offered include vending machines, telephones, information, and a spacious public lounge.

3. Fort Lauderdale Airport

Airports in Miami
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The Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport is a public airport in the United States and has become an intercontinental gateway, with over 700 daily international and domestic flights to 135 destinations.

FLL serves as the primary Airport for the Fort LauderdaleBoca Raton areas and Pompano beach, and as a secondary airport for areas of north Boca Raton and Miami for flights that are not given services by Palm beach international airport, such as Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach. The Airport is a base for JetBlue, Allegiant Air, and Spirit Airlines.

  • Facilities 

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport covers 1,380 acres of land in an unincorporated area and has two runways. According to December 2021, there were 111 aircraft based at this Airport – 74 jets, 13 multi-engine, 23 single-engine, and one helicopter.

4. Miami Executive Airport

The busiest general aviation airport in Florida was formerly called Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. The Airport, which is 13 miles from Miami, has become more well-known as a result of the expansion of the neighborhood.

Corporate, leisure, government agency, and training events are held at the Airport with the assistance of a well-trained, up-to-date, and professional crew. While there are no Wi-Fi services available at the Airport, there are picnic tables if you want to take your family on a picnic.

Are you trying to find shops where you may buy gifts for your loved ones as souvenirs? Visit the duty-free stores where you can find a wide variety of things that are ideal for offering gifts to your loved ones or to take home as a souvenir from your vacation.

  • History

The Airport replaced an eponymous airfield to the north that closed because of Miami International. When completed, the Airport included a seaplane runway, which is still visible. On October 7, 2014, the Miami-Dade County Commission renamed Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport to Miami Executive Airport, and all Miami-Dade County secondary airports were renamed “Miami.”

  • Facility

The 1,380-acre Airport features three asphalt runways. The Airport averaged 531 aircraft operations per day in the year ending May 17, 2011. 99% GA, 1% air taxi, 1% military. 69% single-engine, 20% multi-engine, 8% helicopter, and 3% jet are based at the Airport.

5. Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport

The Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport are located close to the line separating Collier and Miami-Dade Counties, roughly 40 miles west of Miami. The Airport is a little bit isolated in the Everglades. The Airport is reachable through US-41, which travels east-west between Naples and Miami. There is only one runway at the 24,960-acre Airport, and fewer than 25 landings and takeoffs per day.

  • Facility

It has a runway (9/27) with a length of 10,499 feet and a width of 150 feet (3,200 feet and 46 meters). Fourteen thousand four hundred sixty-eight general aviation aircraft operations, or 39 per day, were recorded at the Airport in 2001. A daily average of 12 landings and takeoffs occurred at the Airport as of 2015.

6. North Perry Airport

A public airport serving primarily private and business aircraft operations is North Perry airport, which is situated 20.8 miles from Miami. The North Perry Airport has four runways and can accommodate 325 aircraft. It also features an air traffic control tower and an extensive flight training facility.

This Airport, away from congested neighborhoods and overcrowded airports, has its unique group of travelers and enjoys a tranquil setting. Miami’s airports provide travelers with a vast array of amenities and services.

In addition, whether you travel for business, pleasure, or any other reason, you will take advantage of comfortable flights at reasonable pricing.

  • History

The U.S. Navy acquired 640 acres (259 hectares) of land from dairyman Henry D. Perry in 1943 as a flying training facility between Hollywood Boulevard and Pembroke Road.

As an adjunct training site for the primary naval aviation station known as NAS Miami, which is now known as Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, it was renamed North Perry Field.

South Perry Field was another option, situated southeast of North Perry Field; South Perry was a grassy area without any amenities or structures meant to serve as a backup for North Perry.

7. Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport

Although it is closer to Homestead than Miami, this little Airport is only 42.5 miles away. The Airport has 960 acres of land and features two paved, lit runways and one ultralight turf runway. The Airport provides general aviation activities, including skydiving, gliding, and business aircraft.

It will take 30 minutes to go to the Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport if you visit Key Largo for fishing or Ocean Reef Club to see some of the magnificent coral reefs. When you next decide to take a holiday, keep in mind to reserve a flight to this airport.

  • History

Homestead General Aviation Airport was renamed “Miami Homestead General Aviation Airport” by the Miami-Dade County Commission in December 2014.

8. Miami Seaplane Base

Miami Seaplane Base is a public-use airstrip located on Watson Island, east of the Miami skyline on the MacArthur Causeway. Bimini is serviced by scheduled aircraft on a few days of the week.

Seaplane landing strips can be found across the Florida Keys, especially at Marathon, Islamorada, Big Pine Key, and Key Largo. Tropic Ocean Airways seaplane flights leave from West Palm Beach, Miami Seaplane Base, and Fort Lauderdale.

They offer quick and simple transportation to and from the Bahamas. To go privately to Key Largo’s Little Palm Island Resort, consider Tropic Ocean Airways. Connecting significant airlines to your private seaplane charter at MIA’s General Aviation Center is a terrific way to travel on vacation.

  • History

On Watson Island, a landfill island, Chalk’s International Airlines constructed an air terminal in 1926 that was used for nearly 75 years. Many areas in the Bahamas and other adjacent locations were served by its regular flights and other trips by flying boats and amphibian aircraft. Many operators use the Seaplane Base all year long for flights throughout Florida and to The Bahamas.

9. Miami-Opa Locka Executive

Miami International Airport, Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play, and Marlins Park, where the Florida Marlins play, are all just 20 minutes, 10 minutes, and 35 minutes, respectively, away from Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF).

Miami Beach and Downtown Miami can be reached in 30 and 35 minutes, respectively. As a replacement for Miami International Airport, Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport provides quick and easy access with no landing costs.

The airport offers full FBO service and a range of alternatives for maintaining and repairing aircraft, including on-site U.S. Customs Service and repairs to the aircraft’s airframe, engine, and avionics. The busiest Air/Sea Rescue Station of the United States Coast Guard is located at the Airport.

10. Key West International Airport

Airports in Miami
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Key West International Airport is a major international airport situated in Key West, Florida, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the city’s central business district. Two terminals at the Airport were created by URS’s Mark Mosko and Dwane Stark; Mosko also contributed to the design of the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Arriving passengers are now served by the older, ground-level terminal structure constructed in 1957. The Airport’s security checkpoint is located in the newer design, which has a raised roadway and holds ticketing and check-in. The existing system was then restored. The old ticketing room was converted into an extended departure gate lounge and the old departure lounge was converted into a larger baggage claim area. An enclosed walkway connects the two structures.

  • Facility

In February 2009, the terminal was enlarged with the addition of a second building that was lifted over the parking area. It increased the terminal space at the Airport by more than twofold, covering an area of around 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2).

Under the more recent terminal, there is ground-level parking for 300 automobiles, 150 designated for rental cars, and 150 for general use.

Endnotes

Miami’s airports provide travelers with a vast array of amenities and services. In addition, whether you travel for business, pleasure, or any other reason, you will take advantage of comfortable flights at reasonable pricing. With the help of the information in the article, we hope you can locate the airport that is best suited to your needs.

Also check out, Wonderful Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

Things to do in Islamorada
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