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Since development
in 1928, Miami International Airport (MIA) has evolved into one
of the most dynamic airports in the global arena of air transportation.
Recognized around the world as the "Hub of the Americas," MIA offers
passengers and cargo service to more cities in Latin America and
the Caribbean than any other airport in the nation.
Approved in
November 1999, Airis' $102 million, 511,000 square-foot cargo complex
on the southwest sector of the airport will handle more than 32
percent of the total air freight shipped between North and South
America. The center was completed in August 2001.
This is the
first major air cargo project developed by a third party at MIA.
The complex will house a new four-story corporate headquarters and
adjoining cargo facility for LanChile Cargo Airlines, as well as
a separate cargo building for Fine Air Services.
Project
Details
Airis is developing
this project under a long-term agreement with the Miami-Dade County
Airport Authority. Financial backing is being provided by PaineWebber
Inc. and Ambac Assurance Corporation.
The facility
is located on 48 acres in the southwestern sector of Miami International
Airport known as the Eastern "U" Cargo Complex. When completed,
LanChile's facility will provide approximately 387,000 square feet
of specialized air cargo processing facilities and 44,000 square
feet of administrative offices. Fine Air's building will consist
of 133,000 square feet of specialized cargo space.
Aeronautical
improvements for the project include new taxilane pavements leading
into cargo aircraft staging positions and new rigid pavements for
cargo apron and ground service equipment areas. Also, 328,000 square
feet of new aeronautical pavements will be constructed to link existing
portions of Taxiway Sierra, along with aircraft lead-ins to the
project site, and Taxiway Tango, completing the airport's master
plan for taxiway access along Runway 9R/27L, MIA's Stage II runway.
Construction
began in December 1999 and took 18 months to complete.
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