Miami International Airports Airside and Landside - Research Paper Example

? Miami International Airport Chapter Introduction to MIA The Miami International Airport was founded in 1928 andis one of the US’s largest gateways for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is located 4200 N.W. 21 Street of Miami Florida, US 33122 under Latitude / Longitude: 25.796 / -80.27824. The airport‘s management is under the Miami-Dade aviation department and owned by the Miami Dade County government. It is also one of the busiest freight and passenger airports. In fact, it is the second busiest in terms of international traffic in the US. The airport has three terminals, North, Central, and South. Both the Central and South terminals handle international travelers. Although public transportation from MIA is difficult, taxis, shuttles, and rental cars are available. The Miami International Airport Hotel is located right inside the airport at Concourse E. The airport has over 80 airlines providing flights to over 150 destinations around the world. It occupies 3230 acres of land in downtown Miami with its terminal undergoing an expansion of more than seven million square feet through a capital improvement program to be completed in 2014 (MIA, 2013). The Miami international airport serves other aviation facilities such as the Kendall-Tamaini Executive airport. This airport is 15 minutes away from the business center of south Miami-Dade. The airport’s proximity to Biscayne national park, Florida Keys, and Everglades’s national park makes it the perfect destination for eco-tourism. Its primary business is recreation and private flights serving as to relieve to MIA. MIA’s general aviation center managed by the Miami-Dade aviation department offers flights round the clock, every day. Its services are minor like telephones, public lounge with vending area and restrooms (Mobile Reference, 2010). It houses the US customs and border protection that clears arriving international flights including charter, cargo, and private. Another executive airport that closely relates with MIA is the Opa-Locka Executive airport that is located just 7 miles away from MIA. It is the largest of the general Miami -Dade county airports that handle private, cargo and business flights as a relief to MIA (FAA, 2013). Chapter 2: MIA’s Airside The Division Director of Airside Operations is a 30-year veteran Lonny Craven. He ensures the safe day-to-day operations of MIA's airfield. He also ensures Part 139 Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Above all, he is also responsible for all Airside Operations at MIA, including aircraft gate and apron control, the security and safety of aircraft , airside motor vehicle decal program, construction, cargo, aircraft parking, ramp, passenger loading bridges, access (FAA, 2013), Flight Information Display System (FIDS) and, motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic on the Aircraft Operations Area (AOA). The Airfield Operations Division of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department is divided into three different sections. These sections include Ramp Control, Aircraft Gate Control, and Access Control. Each of these Airside sections has a common goal but with distinct responsibilities and a staff reporting to the Division Director, Airside Operations. The three section's principal role is to promote the safe, secure, and efficient operating environment for passenger airlines, cargo airlines, a large General Aviation component, and all the ramp employees. The Ramp Control Section of Airside Operations ensures the safe operation of aircraft on the airfield. It also maintains the Airport's Certification; it reviews all runways, taxiways, and airport surface conditions for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, part 139. Ramp Control personnel also monitor all construction activity in the Aircraft Operating Area (AOA) to ensure compliance with the Department's safety requirements. The Access Control Section monitors the access and movement of vehicles within the restricted areas. Access Control also administers the AOA decal program ensuring compliance with all security and insurance requirements. It also generates the computerized documentation of the required AOA Driver Training and Movement Area Driver Training courses. Similarly, it interfaces with the airlines, airport tenants, governmental agencies, and contracted service companies to ensure compliance with all FAA safety and security requirements on the airfield (MIA, 2013).  The Aircraft Gate Control Section controls all aircraft gates and handles gates assignments on a daily flight-by-flight basis. It also controls the movement of aircraft traffic within the vicinity of the terminal apron ramp following procedures and policies, in order to prevent conflicts and minimize delays arising from aircraft traffic congestion. Moreover, it maintains current the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) and ticket counter back wall displays for all passenger flights. MIA has approximately 128 boarding bridges-equipped gates plus 47 remote-parking positions. The Airfield Operations Division also supports companies that serve MIA on the airfield. Airside Operations ensure the continued MIA successive zero (0) discrepancy rating as per its annual FAR Part 139 inspections by the FAA for the past 12 years. Chapter 3: MIA’s Landside The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adopted a Master Plan for the Miami International Airport (MIA) in 1994 that is the basis of the current Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The objectives of the multi-year CIP are to increase Miami-Dade Aviation System capacity. It also aimed at enhancing efficiency and safety, maximizing non-aeronautical revenues, supporting the needs of a dynamic airline industry, accommodating changes in the aircraft fleet - mix and completing a multitude of infrastructure and environmental support projects at Miami International Airport (MIA) and General Aviation Airports (GAA). The CIP is one of the largest expansion and redevelopment programs at an operational airport. The New South Terminal has 27 gates and an adjoining cruise-ship bus depot. It started operations in 2007.  The North Terminal, which is a one-mile long facility, has been partially completed and is in use by American Airlines and its “One world” alliance partners. Additional North Terminal gates will be phased-in operation periodically as construction is completed while the entire project progresses towards substantial completion in 2011. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has worked with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Tri-Rail, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), Miami-Dade Transit, and Public Works Departments to improve access from and egress to the surrounding expressways, Tri- Rail, and Metro-Rail. The Miami Inter-modal Center (MIC) /Car Rental Center under construction by FDOT upon its completion in 2009-10 will enhance connections between Miami International Airport and surface transportation systems surrounding the airport. Rental car companies, currently scattered in several different facilities, will be consolidated in a single customer-friendly facility connected to MIA by an Automated People Mover (APM) system. A new viaduct over NW 25th Street will allow cargo trucks direct access between MIA and the Palmetto Expressway without having to navigate through roads crowded with local traffic (MIA, 2013). Monica Beltran heads the landside operations. Its overall responsibility to promote the public image of Miami International Airport (MIA) to local residents, tourists, and business travelers through an efficient, responsive, and the comprehensive landside operation system. Moreover, it organizes, develops, and supervises all of the policies, procedures, and activities of the landside areas of MIA. The division oversees transportation and employee parking contracts between Miami-Dade County and private companies (Mobile Reference, 2010). It coordinates airport construction projects related to traffic, safety, and emergency operations. The collection of airport user fees and enforcement of regulations pertaining to commercial transportation activity is also within the purview of the division, and coordinates taxicab operations and enforces taxicab regulations at MIA. The division takes part in a variety of local, state, and federal agencies, including government subcommittees, policy task forces, law enforcement agencies, and local community groups. In these subcommittees, they help in the formulation of goals, and establishing of policies concerning the operations of MIA and concerns of neighboring communities (FAA, 2013). The following diagram illustrates the overall landside of MIA: Domestic Arrivals: When arriving on a domestic flight or from Canada or the Bahamas, you will need to walk down your concourse to the main terminal. You will be on the second level and must take the elevator or escalator to the first level to baggage claim. Ground transportation is immediately available outside the terminal on first level. Ticket and departure gates are on upper second level. Use Skyride on the third level to connect between terminals, parking garages and MIA Mover Station. International Arrivals and Federal Inspections  Except for passengers arriving from Canada or the Bahamas, international arriving passengers will proceed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s passport control.   After clearing passport control, passengers will proceed to collect baggage and clear U.S. Customs. The Interline Lobby is directly outside U.S. Customs, where passengers may re-check baggage if having a connecting flight. International flights connecting to U.S. destinations - claim luggage before clearing U.S. Customs. International flights connecting to international destinations (ITI) - confirm with your airline if your luggage was checked directly to your final destination or if you have to collect it before clearing U.S. Customs (MIA, 2013).  There are two U.S. Immigrations and Customs areas: South Terminal J- Exit at level 3 North Terminal D- Exit at level 1 International Arrivals at Customs “D” – North Terminal D After exiting U.S. Customs, you will be on 1st level of the North Terminal D. Here passengers will find ground transportation. To connect to other airlines, take the elevator to 2nd level. View U.S. Customs areas.  Use Skyride on the 3rd level to connect between terminals, parking garages and MIA Mover Station to Rental Car Center, Rail and Bus services. International Arrivals at Customs “J” – North Terminal J After exiting U.S. Customs, passengers will be on 3rd level of the South Terminal J. To find  ground transportation, take the elevator to 1st level. To find other airlines take the elevator to 2nd level. Parking garages can be accessed thru the second Level of the terminal. View U.S. Customs areas. Use Skyride on the 3rd level to connect between terminals, parking garages and MIA Mover Station to Rental Car Center, Rail, and Bus services (MIA, 2013). References Federal Aviation Administration: http://www.faa.gov/ Miami International airport website: http://www.miami-airport.com/ Mobile Reference, (2010). Travel Miami and Miami Beach: Illustrated City Guide and Maps. Boston: MobileReference.com. Read More