Can the Miami airport get better? Here’s a list of improvements in the works

Miami International Airport is undergoing $9 billion in improvements.

Projects include an expanded parking garage, repairs to walkways and escalators, a new roof, and more room to walk and shop in the terminal and at the gate.

MORE: How $9 billion will change Miami’s airport, and what travelers are getting for the money

Here’s a rundown of the highlights:

Miami airport improvements

▪ FLAMINGO GARAGE EXTENSION

Details: 2,240 parking spaces, 34 for oversized vehicles and 34 disabled spaces. There are 50 electric vehicle charging stations and there will be LED lighting throughout. Each level of the seven-floor structure will have two pedestrian connections and elevators.

Estimated cost: $137 million

Started: Groundbreaking was in February 2024

Completion: By end of 2025; currently on schedule

Need: “Around the holidays, our parking garages fill up pretty good. This garage is desperately needed,” said Ralph Cutié, CEO and president of MIA

Note: Once complete, the garage will be wrapped in stainless steel. This will be a “game-changer in aesthetics” says Cutié, and easier to maintain.

▪ SOUTH TERMINAL EXTENSION, NEW CONCOURSE K

Details: Adding six gates for narrow aircraft types, all domestic initially with three eventually becoming capable of international flights; adding post-security concessions space; will include space for airline lounges.

Estimated cost: $746.4 million

Started: Groundbreaking will be in fall 2025; now in bidding phase with company selection mid-2025.

Completion: Spring 2029

Need: To expand South Terminal and also concession space

▪ CENTRAL TERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT, PHASE I

Details: Four-level renovation and expansion; post-security corridor between Concourse E and F; add post-security concession area. “This will totally redo Central Terminal,” said Cutié, with modernized interiors, more retail and more food and beverage.

Estimated cost: $373 million

Start date: Groundbreaking spring 2028; Miami-Dade County Commission awarded contract. Design should start by end of 2024 with design finish in a couple years

Completion: Construction in fall 2030 or 2031

▪ CENTRAL TERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT, PHASE II

Details: Expansion of the line area; raising existing ceiling and roof to bring in more natural light; new vertical circulation core with elevators and escalators for passenger circulation; new consolidated TSA checkpoints that get you to Terminals E and F; renovation of second-level departure curbside facade blending appearance from North to South; more concessions

Estimated cost: $375 million

Start date: Groundbreaking in spring 2028

Completion estimated: Fall 2033

Need: This is MIA’s oldest terminal: “If you consolidate TSA checkpoints and include modern technology, you’ll increase passenger flow through the checkpoints, which makes it more efficient getting passengers through,” Cutié said. The changes are “going to transform the inside and the outside of central terminal.”

▪ CONCOURSE D WEST EXPANSION

Details: 17 ground-boarding hardstand gates will be reconfigured to 19 contact gates each with boarding bridge. Currently used for smaller regional jets mostly flying to Tallahassee; changes will allow bigger regional aircraft like Embraer 145 and Embraer 175 series to use gates; 16 of 19 gates will continue to serve narrow-body aircraft like Boeing 737 or Airbus A320; three level expansion of regional commuter area at Gate D60; new boarding areas, concessions and expanded baggage system; more natural lightning; mainly for American Airlines

Estimated cost: $843.5 million (pending approval)

Start date: Groundbreaking: TBD; currently working with AA on scoping and budget

Completion estimated: TBD

Need: Currently, all flights here go to Tallahassee and “it’s a very constrained area,” Cutié said. Passengers have to go outside to board flights. That will no longer be true. “This will transform one of the older, more rundown parts of North Terminal.”

▪ TERMINAL ROOF REPLACEMENT

Details: Replacement of 450,000 square feet of existing terminal roof; improvement of drainage and lighting systems; installation of solar panels on roof; MIA’s oldest terminal; will be done in phases

Estimated cost: $120 million

Start date: Groundbreaking in winter 2025

Estimated completion: Winter 2029

Need: ”The roof is extremely old, so a lot of our leak complaints originate here,” Cutié said. Patchwork done in the past, but overhaul needed.