Aviation leader Peter J. Dolara, key to Miami’s global rise, dies at 87

Peter J. Dolara, a towering figure in Latin American aviation often credited as a driving force behind Miami’s rise as a global gateway, died on Saturday at age 87.

Known as a “legendary figure” whose vision reshaped American Airlines’ presence throughout the hemisphere, Dolara spent more than four decades with the company and became one of its most influential leaders, CEO Robert Isom said in a statement.

“He was integral to the growth of our Miami hub and Latin America network, and American would not be what it is today without his vision and leadership,” Isom said.

Widely known as “El Jefe” to the countless employees he mentored, he helped build Miami into American’s premier hub for travel to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

“The entire American Airlines team mourns the passing of Peter Dolara,” Isom said.

Dolara’s career at American began in 1971, when he joined the airline’s Eastern Division in New York, the airline said. He rose through the ranks, taking on key sales roles before being named vice president of Atlantic/Caribbean and New York Sales in 1984. Five years later, he was promoted to senior vice president.

Even before relocating to Miami, Dolara helped engineer one of American’s most consequential moves: the 1990 acquisition of Eastern Airlines’ Central and South America routes, “which ensured American would be the preeminent U.S. carrier in the region for decades to come,” the airline said in a statement.

When he moved to Greater Miami in 1992, he assumed leadership of the airline’s Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America operations.

“Today, American proudly stands as Miami’s Hometown Airline, offering an industry-leading network to MCLA and employing the largest private workforce in Miami-Dade County — 15,500 team members who embody the vibrant spirit of Miami and our deep connection to the MCLA region,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, American’s vice president of Miami International Airport operations.

“None of these would have been possible without Peter, who paved the way for our success in Miami. We lost a true visionary today, but his influence on our airline and the Miami community will endure forever. “