The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners has approved a landmark $330m investment package to overhaul concessions at Miami International Airport (MIA), TRBusiness can report.

The agreement includes a plan to expand the airport’s retail and dining options and open the door to new businesses.

Delivered under the auspices of Vice Chair of the Airport Committee Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, a bill approved this week secures a minimum guaranteed investment of $267 million, with an additional $64.5m contingent on a lease extension.

The remodelling of the concessions model under a modernisation plan tipped to generate approximately $1 billion in revenue over a 12-year period will include a heavier shift towards F&B (63%) versus retail (37%) at the terminals.

The agreement sets out a minimum investment of $850 per square foot for retail spaces and $1,000 per square foot for F&B zones.

RFPs slated for Terminal K

New technologies, including mobile ordering, AI-powered inventory systems and multi-order points of sale are to be expected.

“For the first time in decades, we have achieved a transformative milestone for MIA – one that positions MIA to become a world-class gateway for millions of residents and visitors,” commented Commissioner Cohen Higgins.

“With record-breaking growth – 56 million passengers and over three million tons of cargo in 2024 – MIA is at a pivotal moment. To stay competitive on the global stage, we must act decisively. This historic agreement modernises MIA’s concessions, expands dining and retail options and secures long-term revenue for our community. Just as importantly, it opens doors for new businesses, giving local entrepreneurs a real opportunity to grow and succeed at one of the busiest airports in the world.”

Miami International Airport served nearly 56m passengers in 2024.. Credit: Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

The stimulus accompanies on-going capital improvement works at MIA that are already underway.

“I want to thank my co-prime sponsor Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Chairman Anthony Rodriguez, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and all our MIA concessionaires for their collaboration in securing this critical investment,” added Cohen Higgins.

Separately, Commissioner Cohen Higgins is leading new request for proposals for concessionaire opportunities in the upcoming Terminal K and un-leased spaces in the North Terminal and other high-trafficked areas to draw in world-class brands.

TRBusiness visited MIA for a fly-through of the North and Central Concourses last year, offering an update on its concession activities. You can read the full article by clicking here.