Air, Feature, Freight News

Cargo flights propel Miami to record performance

[ December 2, 2020   //   Chris ]

With 1.9 million tons of cargo passing through Miami International Airport in October, the Florida gateway was on pace to surpass its all-time annual record of 2.3 million tons of cargo. September and October were record-setting months, as more than 200,000 tons of freight moved through the airport each month.
It had also served a record 52,504 cargo-only flights, 7,000 flights more than last year. As the first airport in the Western Hemisphere and only the second in the world to be designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a pharmaceutical freight hub Miami was preparing to be a leading air cargo hub for COVID-19 vaccines.
Airport director and chief executive, Lester Sola said: “Throughout 2020, Miami International Airport has thrived in its critical role of facilitating essential trade and cargo delivery worldwide, to the point that we are on pace to set yet another annual record for total cargo.”
Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, added: “While our local economy has faced unprecedented challenges because of the pandemic, I am deeply encouraged to see the record-setting growth in cargo traffic at our community’s largest economic engine. The local air cargo industry, under the leadership of MIA and Aviation Director Lester Sola, continues to support billions of dollars in business revenue and thousands of jobs for Miami-Dade County residents. I´m especially proud of the work Director Sola and his team did in a moment of crisis to swiftly diversify and bring in new revenue streams, keeping many employed and business moving.”

Tags: Miami