Miami’s airport gets $94M in federal funds for 2 projects in major makeover

Miami International Airport has obtained $94 million in federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration to help fund ongoing upgrades.

The money will go to two projects.

In one, MIA will improve part of a runway that has become crowded, airport CEO Ralph Cutié said Tuesday.

“That’s an area that sometimes gets congested with multiple flights,” Cutié said. He described it as a “safety, security and operational improvement project.” It’s scheduled for completion in 2029.

MIA also plans to renovate the roadway in the upper-level departures area, from Door 1 to 34. Cutié said that area needs structural repairs “to make it safer,” a project scheduled for 2028.

Both projects will be done in phases, Cutié said, because it’s impossible to shut down the runway and road while keeping the airport open.

The new money comes as MIA is in the middle of a massive $9 billion modernization program. The airport is adding new terminals, expanding boarding areas and increasing the number of TSA checkpoints, among other initiatives.

The $9 billion is mostly self-financed, meaning it comes from airport-generated revenue such as tenant rent and airline fees.

But just over $1 billion is now coming from federal and state coffers, Cutié said.

“We do everything we can to try to maximize grant awards to offset costs,” Cutié said.

The makeover is needed as MIA continues to grow,and feel growing pains. In 2023 and 2024, the airport set records for passenger volume. But it also drew complaints for long lines, broken escalators and elevators, and unpleasant restrooms.

But there’s been progress.

Central Terminal’s check-in area, between Concourses F and G, has been upgraded and now has modern ticket counters and self-service baggage-drop stations. The floor, ceilings and baggage conveyors are new, too. This was completed over 6 months ahead of schedule.

The seven-story, 2,240-space addition to the Flamingo parking garage is under budget and ahead of schedule. Cutié said. The airport chief expects the garage will open by year-end, ahead of the Christmas holiday rush.

The TSA checkpoint that closed in early September will be back up by early November.

And perhaps most encouraging, Skytrain “has been operating perfectly” since it returned to full service on Aug. 25, Cutié said.

This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM.