ICAO Code | KMIA/MIA |
Last Validated | Oct 2009 |
City | Miami, FL |
Position | 25°47'35.70"N 80°17'26"W |
Runway(s) | 8L/26R, 8R/26L, 9/27, 12/30 |
Elevation | 8 |
For years Miami has been one of the most interesting airports for enthusiasts in the world. Being at the crossroads of North America, the Caribbean and Latin America meant that nearly every national airline from the latter two areas had a scheduled services to Miami, which was often the only scheduled destination in the USA. Due to a lot of mergers between airlines, the diversity of traffic has certainly suffered. You used to see aircraft of say ten different airlines where you only see TACA and LAN today.
Nevertheless, Miami is still worth a longer visit, as you can still see aircraft and airlines you do not see elsewhere in the USA. In addition to that, Miami has a significant amount of cargo traffic (with airlines from all over the world), maintenance companies and a busy FBO. Add to that the great photo opportunities and you known why many aviation enthusiasts consider Miami as a top destination.
The only negative point to take into account is that law enforcement is not as relaxed as they used to be pre 9/11. This particularly holds for staying at other locations than spots 1, 3 and 4. You may be forced to leave when elsewhere.
Given the amount of traffic Miami is rather compact in terms of area. It has four runways, of which three are parallel with a single diagonal runway. All runways are used during daytime, but some patterns are recognisable. With easterly operations, most landings are on runways 8R and 9, with take-offs from 8R and 12. Runway 9 is often used for departure by cargo traffic. When winds are from the west, landings are usually on runways 26L and 30, with take-offs from runway 27. Runway 8L/26R is mostly used by bizjets.
The main terminal area is on the eastern side of the airport, in between the parallel runways. Cargo buildings and ramps are situated between runways 12/30 and 9/27. The north side is for FedEx and UPS, the FBOs and maintenance companies. Underneath the approach for runways 26L and 26R, east of Le Jeune Road, is the George T. Baker aviation school, which has some aircraft parked outside.
Multiple highways bring you to Miami International. From downtown and Miami Beach there are highway 112 (Airport Expressway, a toll road) and highway 836 (Dolphin Expressway). From the south (Kendall, the Keys) and north (Fort Lauderdale, Opa-locka) the Palmetto Expressway (highway 826) is easier.
Busses of Metrobus can bring you to all vantage points. See the Miami-Dade Transit website for routes and schedules. Under construction is the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), east of Le Jeune Road, which will be located next top the rental car center. The MIC will give you a choice of buses, Metrotail and Tri-Rail.Amtrak trains. An automated people mover will bring you to and from the terminals. It was planned to be opened in spring 2010.
At El Dorado Furniture you can take excellent photos of aircraft landing on or taking off from runway 9. (Leo Hoogerbrugge)
This photo by Leo Hoogerbrugge shows the possibilities at the roof of one of the cargo buildings (spot 2).
120.350, 135.350 | Clearance Delivery |
121.800, 127.500 | Miami Ground |
118.300, 123.900 | Miami Tower |
119.450, 124.850 | Miami Approach/Departure (270-089) |
120.500, 125.500 | Miami Approach/Departure (090-269) |
125.750 | Miami Approach |
123.000 | UNICOM |
Atlantic Air Cargo | DC-3 |
Centurion Cargo | DC-10, MD-11 |
Florida West Airlines | B767 |
Funair | B737, B757, G550 |
IBC Airways | CL-601, Lj31/55/60 SA227, Saab 340 |
Miami Air International | B737 |
Miami Airport | Official website |
Miami-Dade Transit | Bus routes and schedules |
Miami Airport Cam | Live webcam (disable ad blockers) |
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