MIA’s aging Central Terminal
Plans for a high-end shopping mall at Miami International Airport are probably going to be scrapped to accommodate increased demand from travelers.
Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio Gonzalez told the Consular Corps of Miami earlier this week that the planned conversion of the airport’s Central Terminal into a mall is likely off, Miami Today reported. Passenger traffic has increased to the point where aviation officials need the terminal for travel use.
Demand from airlines for gates at the airport is also surging. Gonzalez projects the airport will surpass 40 million passengers in 2013, up from about 39.5 million last year. Miami International currently has 35 domestic and 54 international carriers.
The Central Terminal was constructed in 1959. Aviation officials explored transforming the terminal into a multi-story retail hub. [Miami Today] — Eric Kalis